25 Hill is a movie about an unlikely friendship developing between a grizzled old fire chief named Roy Gibbs (played by Corbin Bernsen), and quick-witted 12-year-old soapbox derby racer Trey Caldwell (Nathan Gamble of Dolphin Tale fame). A first question that pops into ones head at the start of the DVD may very well be about the title itself: 25 Hill. What exactly does this mean?
We find out soon enough that it refers to an address. This address is one long straight downhill stretch – a place that is perfect for soapbox derby racing, and the subject matter at the core of this pleasant, well-made family film. Soapbox Derby Racing relies on downhill battles, races between adolescents in their homemade race cars, but the movie itself has more to do with uphill battles, and it’s these uphill/downhill struggles that propel this thought-provoking film about perseverance, determination, and using your brains.
Photo courtesy of Home Theater Films
These uphill battles come at us hard and fast, beginning at the start of the movie with the death of Trey Caldwell’s father as he is away at military reserve service in Afghanistan. Roy Gibbs struggles with the reality of the death of his own son, also a firefighter, killed during the World Trade Center attacks of September 11. Trey’s father had recently bought him a soapbox racer, and the two had just begun to build it when Trey’s father is sent overseas. Roy had been a soapbox racer himself when he was a young man, and these two are brought together by Trey’s school principal in the hopes that they can they find some level of comfort and healing in each other’s company.
Photo courtesy of Home Theater Films
The hard-nosed fire chief thinks this highly unlikely, as he finds his comfort in the bottom of a bottle. Trey is totally happy in moving forward on his own, a fact that is evident by his lack of friends and his solitude in working on the race car alone. But a bond is eventually developed as they push together to finish the car and win the races, and ultimately come up against the whole existence of the Soapbox Derby itself.
Corbin Bernsen in 25 Hill, Photo courtesy of Home Theater Films
Nathan Gamble in 25 Hill, Photo courtesy of Home Theater Films
This is a film for the entire family: well-produced, well-written, and well-acted. The lessons learned about perseverance are timeless, and the twists and turns of the film keep it moving along rather nicely. A more developed storyline revolving around Roy’s drinking would have made the problem more evident – other than a drinking and driving episode, he just doesn’t seem like he has a heavy drinking problem – it is more talked about than shown. Given that this film is geared to a more family friendly audience, the downplaying of the drinking makes sense and lends itself to a younger audience.
Corbin Bernsen in 25 Hill, Photo courtesy of Home Theater Films
Nathan Gamble in 25 Hill, Photo courtesy of Home Theater Films
25 Hill is not a heavy duty Gospel-type of Christian film. There are Christian aspects in the movie, but these are rather incidental, and as such may be appreciated by a wider audience. Yes, sometimes evangelism can be subtler.
Whether life finds you racing downhill or struggling to make it uphill, 25 Hill shows that the journey is better with a friend, and there is more to life than the checkered flag. Enjoy the ride, and enjoy the movie.
Photo courtesy of Home Theater Films
Christian Worldview:
25 Hill has an overall strong Christian, moral worldview. Trey is shown getting angry, and then sad, as he deals with the grief of his father’s death. There are strong patriotic elements in the film, as well as nice moments revolving around Trey’s prayer life. There are a couple of uses of the word “butt,” but no other language issues. Roy has an automobile accident rushing to get to a fire as he is “under the influence.” There are no sex scenes, nudity, and only mild marital kissing.
Watch the official trailer for 25 Hill
Click here to read part one and here for part two of the SCH exclusive interview with Actor/Director Corbin Bernsen
To learn more about the author of this review, visit Dale Ward
For more details about 25 Hill, check out Christian Film Database
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