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.

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.

This emotional story of friendship, infidelity and reconciliation unfolds in an idyllic mountain location. What stands out here instantly is the cast, which pretty much blew me away with their energy and charisma. The quirky platonic pair of Patrick Joseph Rieger and Phylicia Wissa are so authentic and funny together they make me envision them in their own sitcom - maybe an updated "Will and Grace". The entire ensemble creates some warm, funny, and dynamic moments, and the vibe of the film is on point. Hats off to Elisa Manzini for creating a story just serious enough to be substantial, but light enough not to feel morose.