
Is It Hits You When You Know It Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2020)
Nicole is a struggling writer who misses her ex boyfriend; Chris is a frustrated studio musician who misses his band; Mary is a married yoga instructor who misses some excitement; they're best friends since high school and they get together to celebrate the wedding of another high school BFFE, Julia. Nicole brings some motivational books and a notepad, Chris his guitar and a bottle of Jack, Mary brings Ted, her workaholic husband. It's all fun and games until Adam, Nicole's ex, arrives with his new girlfriend, the exotic, young and clever Veronica, and the Pandora's box is opened. Now Nicole wants Adam back, Chris wants to get drunk and Mary has a confession to make. While everything goes sour, their personal dramas must be put on hold when tragedy hits and the wedding is suddenly canceled.
β¨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Comedy cinema, then It Hits You When You Know It offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 2020 landscape.
π₯ Target Audience
π Detailed Analysis
The Narrative Arc & Core Premise
Debuting in 2020, It Hits You When You Know It represents a sophisticated intersection of artistic ambition and genre-defining elements within the Comedy category. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Nicole is a struggling writer who misses her ex boyfriend; Chris is a frustrated studio musician who misses his band; Mary is a married yoga instructor who misses some excitement; they're best friends since high school and they get together to celebrate the wedding of another high school BFFE, Julia. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Comedy are tested.
The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Nicole is a struggling writer who misses her ex boyfriend; Chris is a frustrated studio musician who misses his band; Mary is a married yoga instructor who misses some excitement; they're best friends since high school and they get together to celebrate the wedding of another high school BFFE, Julia. Nicole brings some motivational books and a notepad, Chris his guitar and a bottle of Jack, Mary brings Ted, her workaholic husband. It's all fun and games until Adam, Nicole's ex, arrives with his new girlfriend, the exotic, young and clever Veronica, and the Pandora's box is opened. Now Nicole wants Adam back, Chris wants to get drunk and Mary has a confession to make. While everything goes sour, their personal dramas must be put on hold when tragedy hits and the wedding is suddenly canceled."
Artistic Execution & Performance Study
A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Phillip Musumeci does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.
The direction by Devon Armstrong is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 81 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.
Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch
Is It Hits You When You Know It truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Comedy, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.
The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.
Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision
At a deeper level, It Hits You When You Know It explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2020 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Devon Armstrong respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.
The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.
Final Editorial Recommendation
Ultimately, It Hits You When You Know It is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Phillip Musumeci or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, It Hits You When You Know It is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.
β³ Time Investment
At approximately 1.4 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.