“When I swing that bat I ain’t cripple no more.”

Synopsis: The Hill is a 2023 American biographical sports drama film about baseball player Rickey Hill overcoming a physical handicap to try out for a legendary major league scout. While overcoming his father’s disagreeable stance on this phenomenal gift.

Imagine being able to hit a rock with a tree branch going further into a field of hay bales than you could ever imagine. That was the gift that Rickey Hill (Jesse Berry) had. But this same batting prodigy is physically debilitated by a degenerative spinal disease. Yet he loves playing baseball. But his father, Pastor Hill (Dennis Quaid), a traveling preacher feels like Rickey will do more detriment to his body if he pursues the sport and wants him to become a preacher following in his footsteps. And Rickey replies, “When I swing that bat I ain’t cripple not more.” So now he has two issues to overcome—one physical and one spiritual. These were Rickey Hall’s battles from an early age.

To make matters worse, his father is kicked out of the church he was preaching in and their home because he rebuked some people in the congregation for smoking and spitting chewing tobacco in the church. Now they find themselves with all of their belongings tied to the top of an old broken down station wagon, headed for Oklahoma, gas tank almost empty, with no money then the tire goes flat and if that wasn’t bad enough it starts raining.

While sitting in the car a family comes to their rescue offering them food, shelter, and the possibility of pastor James Hill filling a much-needed pastor’s position in the local church. The home they are to live in is much worse than where they left and the church is in even worse condition. But the family rallies and everything seems to be coming together. Except Rickey struggles with adapting as he still wants to play baseball and wants to join the local team but the problem is he needs a parent’s permission slip signed. His older brother Robert’s (Ryan Dinning) shenanigans land them in deep trouble with their father. At this point, his father gives Rickey an ultimatum to either preach or play baseball. Rickey assures him he can do both.

Years later Rickey (Colin Ford) becomes one of the top players on his high school baseball team and has an opportunity to play before baseball scout Red Murff. Will Rickey make the cut? Will his father finally come to terms with his decision to play baseball? You will just have to watch the movie to find out.

The Hill was released in 2023, is 2h 6m, and is rated PG. Can be seen on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movie, YouTube, and Vudu from $5.99.

Director: Jeff Celentano.
Writers: Angelo Pizzo, Scott Marshall Smith, and Bill Chaffin.
Stars: Dennis Quad, Colin Ford, and Joelle Carter.

We give The Hill

Although the backdrop of this film is about Ricky Hill’s desire to play baseball. The script interweaves scriptures and Christian beliefs with the hardships that sometimes come when you stand for right and how God will send help for that stand where you least expect it. The main characters portrayed their parts well and the storyline hit the ball out of the park with its spiritual narrative that explicitly defined the scripture I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 NKJV) And that sometimes our best intentions may not be in God’s script. As believers, you can walk away with some really good life lessons. One is “Hope is not a dream but a way of making dreams come true.”

© Rhema International 2024. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission, from this blog’s author and/or owner, is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Rhema International.