Rich Hill (2014) User Reviews

A Depressing But Interesting Documentary

[comicman117 · 7/10 · 21 September 2014]

Rich Hill is a very interesting documentary that gets its points across quite clearly. It deals with the subject of poverty and may be a hard documentary to watch, but the film is quite well made, regardless of how depressing the subject and it never tries to downplay that aspect.

Rich Hill, focuses on the lives of three different teenagers, Andrew, Appachey, and Harley, who are living in the impoverished Midwestern town of Rich Hill, Missouri, where filmmakers, who are also first cousins, Tracy Droz Tragos and Andrew Droz Palermo's grandparents and parents lived.

Andrew is an athletic kid who lives with his mother and a dreaming father who sees no reason to keep a regular job, and takes drugs. Appachey is a chain smoker who lives in an out of control household, struggles with the authorities, and his need for freedom. While Harley, the oldest of three boys, lives with his grandmother, has a disorder connected to his mother being in prison because assaulted his father while he was abusing their son.

What I liked about Rich Hill, was its approach. Instead of just featuring interviews with the three young men (which the film did feature but only a few times), it also delved into their problems and backstories. We got to see into their lives and really learn just how messed up and pathetic things lives really are for them. In particular, Harley's story was the most fascinating for me, as we saw him constantly try to get out of school because of his personal problems, despite the fact that eventually after weeks and weeks of making excuses, if he did leave school again, he would be arrested.

Even if Rich Hill is a depressing documentary, it also does have a bit of the optimism. Both the ending and other parts imply that these young men could be getting better. There may be a glimmer of hope for them, and this makes Rich Hill, less one-sided than one might expect. Parts of this documentary are hard to watch because of its truthfulness, but at the same time, seeing Andrew smile at one point makes up for the overall depressiveness.

Rich Hill is a documentary that some regular moviegoers might avoid because of its subject material. However once you get through the initial idea and the first parts of the documentary, you may find that it's not as hard to watch as you think it is, aided by a strong musical score composed by Nathan Halpern. Rich Hill is a very fascinating look at the values of family life and the struggles people live with daily in an economically disadvantaged Midwestern small town. Rich Hill is not easy to watch, but its headed in all the right places. Share this:

Dream, Dream, Dream

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 13 April 2014]

Greetings again from the darkness. Boo, Hiss to Poverty. Nobody likes poverty and it's one of the more popular topics for political lip service. Poverty also happens to be a frequent topic of documentary filmmakers. A prize winner at Sundance, co-directors (and cousins) Andrew Droz Palermo and Tracy Droz Tragos brought their film to the Dallas International Film Festival.

The film focuses on three adolescent boys living in poverty stricken Rich Hill, Missouri (population 1396). Andrew is a sweet, athletic likable kid living with a medicated mother and dreamer dad (who can't keep a job, and sees no real need to try). Appachey is a chain-smoking, anger-riddled boy living in an out of control house. He struggles with authority and structure and freedom, and well everything else too. Harley is the oldest of the three boys and lives with his grandmother, while his mom is in prison after a committing a very violent and personal crime ... one at the core of Harley's behavior disorders.

If that last paragraph sounds depressing, you are both right and wrong. Somehow, despite the situations that these boys are in, there is always a flicker of ... not really optimism, but at least hope. This is the way to learn about the effects of poverty. Governmental statistics mean little, but the smile of Andrew means everything ... even as his father moves the family once again. The interconnection of parenting, schooling and the judicial system is on full display here, as is the healthcare system and the importance of hope and attitude. You will feel for each of these boys, and be forced to wonder how to make things better.

Not the whole meal, just a little taste.

[cue_ball-74092 · 7/10 · 20 March 2015]

My wife and I both enjoyed this documentary, and we each felt pretty low after watching it. It was really well done, but it left a sour taste for sure, like biting into your first unripened persimmon. I both agree and disagree with the reviewer from Michigan. I think the point about this documentary not having a story arc is valid. There really is no growth in anyone in the film; they leave the film as they entered it, some pathetic and lazy, some disturbed, some ever-hopeful. But I think as a documentary, the film is entitled to do that. Perhaps that was the filmmakers' objective: Life in rural, poverty-stricken Missouri is like an unripe persimmon. Here's your bite. It sucks, and the unpleasant after-effects of that experience will linger for a long time. I also agree that this leaves me wanting more. I'd love a Ken Burns' style mega-doc that explores the how and the why of that slice of life. Poverty is certainly a spoke on that wheel - perhaps even the hub- but it's far from the only reason we felt so often disturbed by what we saw on the screen. Which leads me to my major disagreement with Michigan's review, which to me was a belief that there weren't many kids/families that could be that disturbed, lazy, dysfunctional, etc., or that the film presented that dynamic in an incorrect proportion to the reality. I spent twenty-plus years as a family therapist in a treatment center for severely emotionally disturbed kids and their families from rural and urban areas. They exist. Families and kids fall apart for multiple reasons. The families in this film had few options to help them deal with the ever- increasing severity of their problems. Poor people love their kids as much as rich people do; they just have far fewer ways to access help when things start falling apart. The juvenile justice system should be the last resort. There's no resources in these impoverished areas to help the more severe cases. But what I was really left with after watching this film was this: I know another reviewer requested this not be compared to Ferguson. I really want the comparison. When you look at the underlying dynamics of a community like Rich Hill versus an inner city neighborhood, there are many similarities: poverty level; educational opportunities through public education; strong family ties; mental illness; medical issues; unemployment and lack of available jobs. How are the impoverished citizens of Rich Hill exploited any less than any impoverished inner-city resident? Are their reactions to their situations different? If so, why? I'd love to see a filmmaker explore that.

A sobering look at poverty in America

[maccas-56367 · 7/10 · 20 January 2021]

Every country has this equivalent of society, which makes this a sort of compulsory viewing.

It's a sobering, depressing look at life in a small American town. Rich Hill, Missouri gives a glimpse into a way of life for many, while also never displaying an agenda. It focuses on 3 young boys and their families.

It's thought provoking stuff. It's real snapshot-of-life type film-making. It can be frustrating, annoying and just plain sad at times. But that is life itself.

If there was ever a documentary well-deserving of a sequel, it would be this one. I can't help but wonder where these kids are now, how they are doing, and whether they have been able to overcome some of their challenges.

Real life in Rich Hill

[lraynes-84-685006 · 10/10 · 18 August 2014]

I grew up in a town very close to Rich Hill and I get this. It seems easier to judge when the area is farther from where you live. There is a big problem with poverty in Missouri especially in rural areas where job options are limited and good education may be harder to obtain; my home town also struggles with it but has some advantage in being closer to the jobs in Kansas City( if the car expense can be covered). These rural areas really suffer when they are outside of public busing distance to big city jobs as Rich Hill is and when too many factories have pulled out. Even my hometown is outside of busing limits so people have to carpool or have very good working car and afford the gas to get to the job in Kansas City and live off it. Living in the city is no picnic either as Kansas City rental rates are getting higher and higher for rent and apartments can be quite scary compared to knowing everyone in your smaller town(I am experiencing that now as pay raises are not matching inflation at all.) Yeah, I get this, insightful movie.

Middle America

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 24 March 2015]

"Rich Hill" intimately chronicles the turbulent lives of three boys living in an impoverished Midwestern town and the fragile family bonds that sustain them.

The camera could have been pointed at just about any city in America, whether in the Midwest or otherwise. But the fact this place is called "Rich Hill" and the story focuses on poverty gives it a certain kind of irony.

This documentary is not pretentious and not inherently political. Some will want to put a political spin on it one way or another with their commentary about poverty in America and how to fix it (or how people get there in the first place). Some might even say this is not real poverty, as these kids are still getting by. But this is a snapshot of America circa 2014, and one that will hopefully look better in another decade.

Absolutely Brilliant

[shylalee · 10/10 · 26 February 2021]

Thought provoking documentary about poverty and its impact on families. Beautifully shot and edited. Captured some very intimate moments of the lives of three young lads. Its not preachy or judgemental but just gives you a slice of their lives It's easy for people to pass judgement and criticise the parents but no doubt the parents had a rough upbringing too and they therefore lack parenting skills. A very sad and touching film but very well produced and I'm glad I watched it.

Make Your Own Conclusions

[kurt-340-176979 · 6/10 · 23 March 2015]

This movie is well made and shines a non-judgmental light on what everyone knows is a big problem in Missouri and the nation. I think everyone knows people like this in whatever community you live in. Should these people be judged? What is the takeaway here? I do feel sorry for these kids living in abject poverty, with no way to better themselves... Who is at fault for this. Not the kids. Tobacco. Alcohol. Drug abuse. It's like the parents are physically present, but have a maturity level that is even lower than their kids. I don't know what this movie is really about, but it's 100% true, and it's kind of troubling to watch.

Watching a documentary like this makes you feel Fortunate!

[thewave-67015 · 8/10 · 23 February 2020]

I tried watching this before but could only get through like 20 minutes of the film. Very Depressing watching people live in these conditions, especially children. The United States gives other countries millions of dollars a year!! WRONG! Why can't we help people like this here in our own country? Anything to give them a boost, head start, whatever you want to call it? It was a great documentary and well made. Hopefully these families have received some help or have had help to pull them up out of the slump they're in??

Well Made but Almost Un-watchable.

[sanchess-51283 · 6/10 · 5 March 2015]

My curiosity about this film stemmed from the fact that I have family that live in and around Rich Hill, Missouri. Our family reunion is held in Rich Hill every year. My family members prosper in the farming industry so I had no clue that this much abject poverty was so prevalent in that community.

Having said that, I agree with the reviewer from Michigan. This is a heartbreaking depiction of life for these kids...but it's the utter disdain I feel for their parents and guardians that made it so difficult for me to watch. As Michigan said...there's no ARC...and the idyllic images of girls doing cartwheels at the yearly 4th of July parade could not offset the gut wrenching sorrow I felt when having to endure the other scenes.

Look, the film is extremely well made. I'm not proud that I struggled through the viewing, It's not like I'm one of those film goers who wants nothing but "rainbows and unicorns"...But this was just too depressing.

I agree with the others.

[blaicefreeze · 8/10 · 17 April 2015]

Well made doc, but the parents.... Notice the abusive tones, drug addiction (constantly smoking cigs), terrible role-models, and much, much more. These parents have failed their kids more than anyone else has. It goes to show that education—although not absolutely conducive to success—sure as hell helps a lot in life.

This just goes to show the economic disparity in this country.

All I could think of is the fat cats sitting in their penthouses in clothes on that very minute that "cost more" than what all of those families have combined.

The worst thing about this documentary is the truth behind it—the kids are the victims.

Stating the obvious

[ksbluesfan · 5/10 · 12 March 2015]

I don't understand what the filmmakers are trying to achieve. They're showing what it's like to be a young, poor teen in Missouri without explaining why things really are the way they are. The subject is glossed over with a thin layer of hometown bias. It would take a two-week documentary from Ken Burns just to scratch the surface of this complex issues. Don't believe for one second that this is something new in America. Change the year to 1954 and the location to Ironton, Missouri, and it could have been my dad in Harley's place. All of the boys in this documentary were far better off than my dad or grandparents, but that's not saying much. Yes, poverty exists in Missouri and water is wet. As long as people are free to make bad decisions and there aren't any job requirements for "parent", this will continue to be the case. If this documentary showed something new to somebody who can do something about it, that's great. I hope that is the case, but I doubt it. And, please, avoid making comparisons to Ferguson, Missouri. The issues are completely different, though the solution would help alleviate both problems.

One of the most captivating films I've ever watched

[stan_dundalk · 10/10 · 16 April 2015]

Im baffled as to why this film gets such poor, or at least middling, reviews. This is one of the most captivating documentaries/films/shows i've ever watched. Im glad the filmmakers didn't try to explain the whys or wherefores, they just allowed the boys, their homes, the location to be the story in a truly fascinating and wonderful way. The relationship between andrew and his father is one of the most superbly captured father/son relationships I've ever seen on screen. I don't understand how people can feel frustration or anger while watching this movie and then give it a poor review. You're supposed to feel frustrated and angry! You're supposed to like Andrew! He seems like a great kid! You're supposed to want to give that other kid a kick in the ass! And his mom! To me thats the beauty of this film. I laughed, got mad, and even cried while watching it. I experienced the full spectrum of emotion throughout the 90or so mins Super filmmaking - I wish i could erase it from my memory so i could watch it anew all over again.

Heartbreaking story of 3 young people and their families in a town where material reality crushes their dreams

[lasverdessondemuerto · 8/10 · 26 June 2023]

Heartbreaking story of 3 young people and their families in a town where material reality crushes their dreams and expectations, plunges them into constant depression, frustration and melancholy.

Their existence seems to be doomed to eternal permanence in a place, a social class and a lifestyle that suffocates everything in its path.

The documentary goes through moments of pain and sweetness, each character shows the most affected side of her but also the most innocent moments of him. Wonderful and painful at the same time.

With intimate conversations, where the boys talk almost to themselves, tragedies are revealed, broken dreams, shreds of hope that seem to vanish with each new scene, although not completely. In the end, you just hope life is fairer after the end credits.

Wanted to Like It But Just Couldn't

[rbsteury · 5/10 · 3 August 2014]

My wife and I both looked forward to seeing this at the Traverse CIty Film Festival. Living in an impoverished area of Michigan makes us have first-hand compassion for those who have so little. But this movie seemed to us to be little more than a repetitive and depressing look at families going nowhere. There was absolutely no arc in the documentary study of 3 young boys who ended up with little more knowledge or ability to cope at the end of the film than when it started. No one seemed any wiser or less clueless.

The film follows 3 young boys (why not at least one girl??) and, unfortunately, two are clearly psychiatrically challenged. Only Andrew seems to have some ability to logically analyze his sad situation and the failures of the adults around him. Harley is "scary" unbalanced emotionally with huge outbursts of violence (especially so, when one sees him fondling knives in a store and knowing he will soon be legally able to purchase guns). Appachey is very similar. Both have completely unrealistic expectations of their future.

It is hard for me to understand that the filmmakers say they come from this area and know this poverty firsthand. I see the working (and non-working) poor everyday as a physician who sees such patients. There are a few who resemble these boys and their families but most do not. When viewers see the families in this film continuously chugging down high-caffeine drink (and with the adults, beer), and chain- smoking, while playing video games day and night, it makes it pretty hard to be sympathetic. The poor in my practice hunt, fish, spend time with their kids, and basically do the best they can. These parents lay in bed all day and call the truant officers when their kids become too much for them. The images presented here just seems so far from the reality I have seen in my patients living in poverty.

And, as I said, no arc and no story is being told except that these people are living an existence they are unlikely to ever escape. We were very disappointed.

Wtf?

[bwdude · 1/10 · 17 March 2015]

Is there something I should know about these people?

Because as much as I am concerned, I just watched something about low life without any sense or purpose?

It's like watching insects or something, why does this "movie" exist other than showing me the lowest possible state of being?

I am not being sarcastic here, I just don't get it. As much as I like documentaries and as much as I like diversity and learning about different people,

this is just depressing and useless.

Not enough lines, ,yeah? Well sometimes you don't need to write ten lines to make your point. Still need more? Have another line!