RICH HILL (Andrew Droz Palermo, Tracy Droz Tragos). 93 minutes. Opens Friday (August 22) at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. For venues and times, see Movies. Rating: NNNN
A hit both at Sundance and Hot Docs, this beautifully filmed but bleak vérité doc focuses on three adolescent boys trying to get by in the tiny town of Rich Hill, Missouri (pop. 1,396).
Charmer Andrew isn’t allowed stability because his dad, who dreams of becoming a country singer, is constantly uprooting the family to look for work skateboard enthusiast Appachey is bored and lashes out physically and ticking time bomb Harley, who may have been abused by a step-parent, lives with his grandmother while his mom serves time in prison.
Directors Andrew Droz Palermo and Tracy Droz Tragos capture the feel of the economically depressed town with lyricism but no condescension, granting their subjects the occasional moment of fun and grace.
Given recent troubling events elsewhere in Missouri, it’s worth pointing out that this is a very white film. But the struggles, frustrations and dashed hopes feel universal.
