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      King of the Hill

      PG-13 1993 1 hr. 42 min. Drama List
      91% 33 Reviews Tomatometer 83% 5,000+ Ratings Audience Score Aaron (Jesse Bradford), a young boy living in St. Louis during the 1930s, has a deep attachment to his younger brother. After his father (Jeroen Krabbé) leaves them and his mother (Lisa Eichhorn) departs for an asylum, he promises to retrieve his brother from their uncle's custody. In the meantime, he must fend for himself among townspeople and the tenants in the hotel where he lives. Forced to come of age alone, Aaron shifts between the harsh real world and the dream world he creates to cope. Read More Read Less
      King of the Hill

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      Critics Consensus

      A subtle, affecting, character-driven coming-of-age story, King of the Hill is one of Steven Soderbergh's best and most criminally overlooked films.

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      Audience Reviews

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      Georgan G This film is like stepping back into the Depression. The main child actor, A. E. Hotchner, was simply amazing. Although a sad tale in many ways, I found it uplifting in terms of courage. The dogged fight each person had to keep up day after day was inspiring. Goes to show you can do nearly anything if you have to. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/08/23 Full Review Audience Member "That boy aint right" -Hank Hill Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Great movie. In Soderbergh's third film ever, he shows a strong grasp on both direction and storytelling, delivering a captivating and powerful drama with well-written characters and dialogue, as well as a phenomenal lead performance from a young Bradford. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Audience Member A true masterpiece - outstanding, an absolute favorite that seems to have all but disappeared for those of us who'd love to see it again! Well crafted with its gut-wrenching and uplifting moments with a remarkable ensemble of fascinating, very real characters, many of whom seem worthy of their own movie around their own situation. Desperate circumstances put young Aaron in a survival mode in the bleak depression yet this film is anything but depressing. Often harsh and intense, yet full of entertaining moments and Aaron's unsinkable spirit carrying him through it all. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Really good ... I like it Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member The story of Aaron, the coolest kid on the block, and his struggling family during the depression in the 1930's. Aron is doing well in school, even with few money. His parents are not earning much and are often not around trying to get money from places further away. He tries to get hold of some money himself with varied results. Still, his biggest feature is that he is super kind and everyone likes him. He is the coolest and best kid on the block. Both Bradford and Brody are rock solid and is lofting the superb story. It looks good and got few flat moments - some uplifting ones, some sadder ones, but no flat moments. This is feel good to the fullest. Soderbergh shows a lot of heart here, in one of his earlier and slightly overlooked film. Oh, also way cool to see Lauren Hill as an elevator girl. 7.5 out of 10 cigar bands. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      King of the Hill

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      Critics Reviews

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      Noel Murray The Dissolve King Of The Hill balances an incident-packed script with muted tones, painting a rich, absorbing picture of one boy's struggle to live by his wits. Rated: 4.5/5 Feb 24, 2014 Full Review Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: A Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Janet Maslin New York Times The film does a lovely job of juxtaposing the sharp contrasts in Aaron's life, and in marveling at the fact that he survives as buoyantly as he does. Rated: 4/5 Aug 30, 2004 Full Review Jordan M. Smith IONCINEMA.com Technically sound and sadly sugary in its handling of the truly devastating realities of the Depression, King of the Hill is not a bad film per se, just one that lacks a sense of consequence and a lasting impression. Rated: 2/5 Nov 12, 2020 Full Review Brian D. Johnson Maclean's Magazine Despite Bradford's arresting lead performance, King of the Hill never comes alive: a childhood memoir frozen in amber. Oct 9, 2019 Full Review James Kendrick Q Network Film Desk one of Soderbergh's best films: a painterly, thoughtful, and subtly emotional portrait of preadolescent coming of age in dire circumstances Rated: 3.5/4 Mar 20, 2014 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Aaron (Jesse Bradford), a young boy living in St. Louis during the 1930s, has a deep attachment to his younger brother. After his father (Jeroen Krabbé) leaves them and his mother (Lisa Eichhorn) departs for an asylum, he promises to retrieve his brother from their uncle's custody. In the meantime, he must fend for himself among townspeople and the tenants in the hotel where he lives. Forced to come of age alone, Aaron shifts between the harsh real world and the dream world he creates to cope.
      Director
      Steven Soderbergh
      Screenwriter
      Steven Soderbergh
      Rating
      PG-13
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (DVD)
      Feb 25, 2014
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $879.6K
      Sound Mix
      Surround, Stereo