Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fact-based sports drama highlights the power of faith.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Hill
What's the Story?
Based on a true story, THE HILL follows Rickey Hill (Colin Ford), who dreams of being a professional baseball player. Rickey is a natural-born slugger, but an unspecified physical disability means that he can't walk without leg braces. His preacher father, Pastor Hill (Dennis Quaid), wants Rickey to put childhood fantasies away, but Rickey has faith that God wouldn't have given him talent if he wasn't intended to use it.
Is It Any Good?
Warm up the apple pie for your movie nibbles, the ingredients of this sports drama are God, baseball, and "old-fashioned American values." Thick with earnestness and devout Christian perspectives, the script -- from the screenwriter of Rudy and Hoosiers -- has a solid structure but is heavy-handed. This is not Christian-lite: It's the faithiest faith film about faith for the faithful. In many ways, The Hill plays into stereotypes and even somewhat perpetuates the attitudes of the era it's set in. And yet by making a "villain" (of sorts) out of Pastor Hill -- a good man who's doing his best to support and guide his family and his community but simultaneously refusing to let his son follow his dream to try to protect him -- it delivers thoughtful nuance. It's not a grand slam, but The Hill is rich with conversation starters. And faith-based audiences will be thrilled to see a thoughtful exploration of scripture.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Rickey demonstrates perseverance, integrity, and gratitude in The Hill. Why are these important character strengths? Do you consider him a role model?
What's the point of showing Pastor Hill allow parishoners to smoke in church, even though he doesn't agree with it? Is tobacco use glamorized?
What skills or talent do you have? What purpose do you think it could serve as you grow up?
Do you think this movie is intended solely for Christian audiences? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 25, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : September 12, 2023
- Cast : Dennis Quaid , Joelle Carter , Colin Ford
- Director : Jeff Celentano
- Studio : Briarcliff Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , School ( High School , Middle School ) , History
- Character Strengths : Communication , Humility , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time : 126 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : thematic content, language, and smoking throughout
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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