King of the Hill (1993)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Steven Soderbergh

Writers (WGA):

A.E. Hotchner (memoir)
Steven Soderbergh (screenplay)

Release Date:

20 August 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History

Tagline:

When the world turns upside down, the trick is coming out on top.

Plot:

A young boy struggles on his own in a run-down motel after his parents and younger brother are separated from him in 1930s Depression-era Midwest.

Plot Keywords:

Hotel | 1930s | Fantasy World | Marbles | Child Driving Car

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Jesse Bradford	...	Aaron
Jeroen Krabbé	...	Mr. Kurlander
Lisa Eichhorn	...	Mrs. Kurlander
Karen Allen	...	Miss Mathey
Spalding Gray	...	Mr. Mungo
Elizabeth McGovern	...	Lydia
Cameron Boyd	...	Sullivan
Adrien Brody	...	Lester
Joe Chrest	...	Ben (as Joseph Chrest)
John McConnell	...	Patrolman Burns
Amber Benson	...	Ella McShane
Kristin Griffith	...	Mrs. McShane
Chris Samples	...	Billy Thompson
Peggy Freisen	...	Mrs. Thompson
Katherine Heigl	...	Christina Sebastian

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements.

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:12 | France:Unrated | South Korea:15 | Finland:K-10 | Germany:6 | Norway:11 | UK:12 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Alton, Illinois, USA

Company:

Wildwood

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In 1933 Aaron gets the letter for his father marked as from "Works Progress Administration". Works Progress Administration was only established in 1935.

Quotes:

Mrs. Kurlander: Must you wear that filthy thing on your head?
Aaron: Ma, it's a hat. You wear it on your head.

Soundtrack:

Maybe Who Knows

Sumptuous period coming-of-age melodrama

Beautifully shot and played, this tale of a young boy coping with the depression better than his father (who has left him alone in seek of work) trips along nicely, detailing the superkid's adventures in thirties America in rich colours and lavish period detail. Although it could be accused of overdoing the rose-tinted spectacles, it's a warm and mellow look at a dark and grimy time, and includes enough unpleasantness to keep that fact in the viewer's mind. Although the hotel-dwelling salesman living on the edge of subsistence is not a new theme, any more than that of the capable child flourishing in adversity, Soderberg brings a timeless quality and a steady, gentle mood to this piece, making it more about the hearts of the people than the tragic times which are displayed. Jesse Bradford, as the central child, and Adrien Brody as his older friend, really shine. Nice.