It Hits You When You Know It

I judge every film on its own merits instead of comparing everything to my favorite films like other reviewers. That being the case, it took me about five to ten minutes but I warmed to this little indie flick. "It Hits You When You Know It" has a great feel-good vibe. I enjoyed the high-key lighting and vibrant colors; too many films these days are too dark to even see. The writing is smart, witty and definitely on the higher end of the scale than some other indie films I've seen recently. Overall, the casting was good with Cameron McCormick and Katy Dolle being the standouts for me. The characters were interesting and had depth. Another thing I really appreciated is that the scenes were just the right length. I've seen a lot of independent films and one common flaw are scenes which run way too long. That isn't the case here and the story moves along briskly. The cast is good and so is the premise and execution. Well done.

At first I thought it was a situational comedy, very funny and well acted. This melodramatic reunion with friends shares something to be appreciated. Most people can see themselves in this situation after having had long time friends. This Indie film is tastefully done. Each character holds their own equally without overshadowing the other. This film is professionally Produced and Directed, beautifully crafted from beginning to end. I like forward to watching more from this team of filmmakers.

Plays beautifully with the awkward nature of reconnecting with old friends and the wounds that are still left open. The characters all had nuances and deeper inner lives that revealed themselves in interesting ways. Really liked the balance between the humor and drama, especially with standout Patrick Joseph Rieger as Chris, who carries the story with laugh out loud lines and his own heartbreaking struggles. The characters all feel like real friends and by the film's climax, you wish they could hang around a little bit longer.

A very good entry in the micro genre of "friends gathering at a house for a weekend" movie. The stakes are high, the tension escalates, and surprises are discovered. Overall, the cast is solid, as is the directing and tight script which keeps the pace moving. If you enjoy watching relationships develop or fall apart (no spoilers here!) then this is one to watch.

A group of old friends who haven't seen each other in years gather in a cabin the night before a wedding. Old issues boil up as they reconcile their life choices and past relationships. The film is a contemporary 'Big Chill' with naturalistic writing and a standout performance from Patrick Rieger.