It Hits You When You Know It

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.