Film Review ‘The Hill’

Written by: Kelly Meade (08/23/23)

When God places a calling on your heart, you find that you are able to serve Him wherever He leads you. Feature film The Hill takes viewers into the life of Rickey Hill – an aspiring baseball player who has overcome personal challenges to pursue his dreams.

With faith as a cornerstone in his life growing up, Rickey honed his skills with a stick and stone showing signs of being a prodigy in the sport of baseball – even though braces worn on his legs due to a degenerative spinal disease make it difficult for him to walk, much less run.

Rickey’s father, Pastor James Hill, is a man who does his best to instill values into his children. Though he comes across as a bit stern at times, he believes he is doing the Lord’s work. When unforeseen circumstances leave the entire Hill family without a place to live, an answer to prayer arrives from an unexpected place offering them a clean slate to start rebuilding their lives.

While James remains against Rickey playing baseball citing his concern for his son’s well being as well as a personal desire for him to follow in his father’s footsteps of ministry, Rickey & his brother seek out the local team to try out. As time goes on, a series of events lead to a firm conversation with his father, Rickey believes that baseball may be the path that God truly has him on.

By his senior year, Rickey had become a star player for his school’s team when an injury sends him to the doctor. There, Rickey and his family are given news none of them wanted to hear as a looming surgery puts his future at risk. Family & friends refuse to let Rickey give up hope during his recovery process. Through their encouragement and God’s grace, he exceeds expectations. Though many still have their doubts in Rickey’s ability to play ball, he proves them wrong and gives his all as long as God allows.

Hope, determination and never losing faith are the core themes throughout The Hill as viewers watch this story based on actual events unfold. Whether you’re a fan of baseball or not, this film is sure to inspire many with its message of following where God leads and living for Him no matter what.

Cast includes:
Jesse Berry as Young Rickey Hill
Colin Ford as Rickey Hill
Dennis Quaid as James Hill
Joelle Carter as Helen Hill
Mason Gillett as Young Robert Hill
Ryan Dinning as Robert Hill
Randy Houser as Ray Clemons

3.8/5