It Hits You When You Know It (2020) User Reviews

Funny and thoughtful

[drdavidevasco · 9/10 · 8 November 2020]

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.

Looking forward to whats next.

[jo-14265 · 9/10 · 11 December 2020]

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.

A Touching and Funny Relationship Drama

[briandilorenzofilm · 9/10 · 4 December 2020]

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 gem of a movie, but also the stuff of TV

[josephtangredi · 10/10 · 8 November 2020]

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.

The Big Chill: The Next Generation

[DonSwanson · 10 December 2020]

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 fresh and original plot in relationships.

[carashope · 10/10 · 7 November 2020]

Great and inclusive cast, fun dialogue, great location. can´t wait to see more from the writer. Great shots, congrats to the director.

Heartfelt and endearing

[NUDavis859-1 · 9/10 · 23 November 2020]

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.

A Comedy? Huh??

[wandernn1-81-683274 · 2/10 · 19 January 2021]

This is labeled as a comedy, but really there's like nothing funny in it. More like a character study of a group of social outcasts that don't even fit together. And it's really, really , terrible. Nothing funny at all. 2/10

A recommend film to watch from me

[lbruhnca · 9/10 · 10 December 2020]

This is a character driven indie film about relationships intertwining, past present and future. It follows Old friends who come together for a wedding. The plot and writing s good and kept my interest through this drama.

nice drama

[mich1elle · 6/10 · 22 November 2020]

A heartfelt drama, great writing and acting. This story keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Naturalistic drama with great performances

[srt-245 · 10/10 · 12 December 2020]

A great drama about a group of friends that pulls you in tight, makes you feel like you are part of their inner circle. When their struggles and secrets begin to emerge you feel them deeply. Naturalistic writing and solid performances hold the movie together and bring you along for a journey. The director makes great use of a single location, creating a whole world out of one house.

Tight Ensemble Drama

[catia-ojeda · 8/10 · 3 December 2020]

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.

Unexpected reunions

[NZfilmfinder · 9/10 · 19 December 2020]

A group of old friends reunite for a weekend in the woods to celebrate a friends wedding. To say the group is somewhat dysfunctional is a slight understatement and it seems that everyone has a secret, an agenda, or a painful moment of their past that has confronted them through this reunion. But it's not all doom and gloom the cast have a great rapport and chemistry, the jokes come thick and fast and mixed inbetween some emotional and poignant scenes are also some laugh out loud moments. A great mediation on relationships, growing up and the friendships that bind us together.

A feel good relatable relationship film.

[evelyne-8 · 8/10 · 28 November 2020]

Relationships are complicated, and this film is one we can all relate to. The Big Chill kind of premise, getting a group of friends together in a house for the weekend brings up all sorts of conflicts among the couples. A well-acted and told film, I really enjoyed it.

Humanely real

[carlovitulo · 8/10 · 19 November 2020]

It's a cute little movie that can make you "feel" the struggle of normies in relation to reality. The story is grounded, the protagonists feel like real people. You are going to have a good time. I did.

A terrific film!

[craigahrens · 8/10 · 3 December 2020]

This is such a good film. I enjoyed it a lot! A wonderful story and equally wonderful acting. The actors all did such a good job. They drew me in and never let go, bravo! My wife also enjoyed this film. We didn't talk once during the film or got off our couch. That right there says it all! A thumbs up from me on this one!!

An Indie Gem!

[beemtoaustin · 8/10 · 2 December 2020]

Dynamic, well-crafted indie drama, both thoughtful and fun, written and directed with unwavering passion, with acting so genuine and nuanced I thought I'd seen this terrific cast somewhere before. Not the last we'll see from this team I hope.

Delightful

[directortim2012 · 9/10 · 20 November 2020]

A really fun, charming film! I enjoyed it's balance. It's light enough where you can just sit back and enjoy. But real enough that you get drawn into the characters and the story. It's very well written, shot and acted. And just a pure pleasure. A real gem of a movie!

Feel good cinema

[lindapalmer · 8/10 · 30 November 2020]

Really nice ensemble story dealing with friends and their struggles. Worth the watch, especially these days.

Unique Indie Chamber Drama

[JGReviews · 8/10 · 23 December 2020]

It Hits You When You Know It is a unique indie chamber drama about old high school friends getting together for a wedding. However, things don't go smoothly for this wide range of characters, but that's what makes it interesting. The ensemble cast provides some good performances, and a few that are just fine, but they feel authentic and ultimately make me invested in how everything will shake out building up to the wedding and beyond. The film is also shot at a picturesque location out in the woods, which is a nice bonus visually. It Hits You When You Know It is a solid offering for those looking for a nice indie to watch tonight.

Strong Comedy Drama

[echapman7 · 9/10 · 19 November 2023]

This starts off like a sitcom with fast-talking and jokes aplenty, and then settles into a soul-searching drama in the second half. It's a smooth transition because we see that the humor has been a cover for what's really meaningful in these characters' lives - as is often the case with ourselves.

The Big Chill style ensemble is excellent. I couldn't help wondering if there was extensive rehearsal time because the actors have wonderful chemistry and comedic timing. If there's a standout, it's Phylicia Wissa as the struggling writer and jilted ex-girlfriend, Nicole. She has a low opinion of herself, which is ironic because the actress playing her is a stunner.

Elisa Manzini's script is consistently sharp and funny, reminiscent of the classic sitcom Friends.

Set almost exclusively at a vacation home on the coast, it's never dull. Sparks, insults and trenchant observations are always flying. This is a finely tuned and ultimately moving comedic drama with a poignant ending.

Ooooh Drama!!!!

[michelleharriswade · 10/10 · 21 April 2021]

Everyone loves a great Drama and this movie does not disappoint. It's also very relatable and realistic. You can see their ups ,.... downs,... and situations like this do happen. On top of that there's really good actors in here. Add all of that together and you have a great movie. This is a winner in my book.

A great movie night out!

[williamgway · 9/10 · 21 November 2020]

This felt good to watch. Well written and acted it was a fun, but at times wonderfully emotional, it was a perfect movie for a bit of escape. The ensemble cast does a nice job delivering on the story. Recommended.

Contemporary Big Chill

[BigHarvey · 8/10 · 16 April 2021]

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 Touching and Enjoyable Indie

[adrianjettleon · 8/10 · 19 October 2021]

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.