Until reading your critical, informative post my only reaction to Hillbilly was to turn it off at the scene where Vance has canned, angry retorts to the "dunderhead" lawyer (also canned) who implies Kentucky is redneck country. An overwrought cliche scene with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Cut to the abusive heroin addict mother . . . and I know this story, this formula, this narrative arc. I checked with a friend who sat through it and confirmed, yep, all's well that ends well. In Hollywood treatments. Thanks for other recommendations.