It Hits You When You Know It

Funny and thoughtful. That's a great combo for a great movie. But also the perfect one to tell something about daily struggles anyone can relate to. The most interesting thing is to follow the development of the characters and how their relationships evolve from beginning to the end without being in need of a complex plot but rather a simple one: a meeting between old friends. The writing and the acting guide you through such a dynamic and vibrating series of scenes you never get bored of.

You can't watch this without being reminded of the all-time classic that is The Big Chill, and it is certainly unfair to compare the two films.

Having said that, this little indie film does what it does and does it well! The ensemble cast is solid with good solid performances, and characters/dialogue/situations ring true in a relatable way.

This is a strong recommendation!

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.

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.

For those who love movies like "The Best Man" or "Why Did I Get Married", you will love this movie. It is a great drama with many heartfelt moments that will make you laugh, worry, and get angry. The actor who played Chris stole the show, but the other actors also put in some truly good performances with nuances and depth that make you feel the impact of everything that goes on in the movie. I do wish, however, the character of Adam was a little more fleshed out as I felt there was more to delve into with him, but that is a minor complaint when compared to the end results. Smart writing keeps the drama going and avoids it getting stale, and the great performances brings it home. Truly, this movie a must-see.