Before You Know It

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Audience Member Before You Know It, (2019), is a quirky American comedy with touches of surrealism directed by Hannah Peart Utt who also stars in her film as Rachel Gurner. It features an eclectic cast from heavyweights such as Alec Baldwin (Peter), Mandy Patinkin (Mel Gurner), Judith Light (Sherrill), to Jen Tullock (Jackie Gurner), Oona Yaffe (Dodge Gurner), and Mike Colter (Charles). It's the story of two sisters, one a single parent, and the other unmarried, who are living with their beloved father when they suddenly learn that their mother is alive and well and a famous soap opera star to bout when their cantankerous father, Mel Gurner, dies suddenly. Finding out the truth about their supposed deceased mother drives the dramatic tension of the film set set against a backdrop of city scapes of New York City, which is in and of itself, a character in the story. Where else could such a story take place? The performances of the main and supporting characters make the film. Hannah gives a stellar performance as Rachel Gurner infusing her character with authenticity and gravitas. She radiates a combination of street smarts, charm, wit, intelligence, and vulnerability. Jen plays the flaky sister and smothering mom who dresses inappropriately to a fault, and Oona plays her cool, sane teen daughter Dodge who provides a refreshing contrast to both mother and aunt. Utt weaves together many visual elements to create a funny film juxtaposing the narrative of finding their mother against the loss of their father and the simmering tensions and dysfunctional family dynamics of an atypical New York family who run a community theater in the village. New York City features prominently in the film framing and contextualizing the narrative and storyline, giving the film depth and complexity. It's a beautifully shot film and the cut aways of NYC are candy to the eye evoking feelings of wanderlust. It's a marvelous film drawing on the many features of comedy from slapstick humour to funny one-liners to comedic situations which drives the storyline. Patinkin's performance is riveting and his stage performance to promote his play is a hoot to watch when he throws his chance to have it professionally staged by acting childish and dumb. Baldwin's performance as the anal retentive psychotherapist who chastises Dodge from playing with an antique toy and pushes instead a box of kleenex is another comedic moment. It's an enjoyable romp of a film full of twists and turns which fuel the narrative. One of the funniest scenes tinged with drama is the antics of the two sisters as they illegally make their way onto the TV set to catch a glimpse of their mother performing. The motif of the pathology of a dysfunctional family with secrets and lies runs through the film stitching the narrative into a cohesive structure. It was wonderful to watch Ms. Light's performance who really is a famous soap opera star hamming it up all decked out in her finery and gobs of dramatic make up. She is a gem of an actress. The film resonated with me on a personal level such as the importance of family albeit its dysfunctionality and pathology, and celebrating the concept of second chances which everyone is deserving of. Second chances allow us to redeem ourselves with relationship to self and other. But, it's more than a comedic film, but a coming of age film for Rachel, Jackie, and Dodge as they navigate their new circumstances and move on with their lives. The acting, the storyline, the dialogue, the soundtrack, and the cinematography make it a wonderful and enjoyable film. Do see it for you won't be disappointed. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Not my cup of tea but even I can tell it was a well made movie 2.5 Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 05/19/21 Full Review dave d What a cast for hubby and wife date night, but it was a snoozefest in the drama bore 'Before You Know It'. Hannah Pearl Utt stars directs and co-wrote this with co-star Jen Tullock. It's terrible. It has individual performances that are award worthy. It all adds up to nothing. Utt is a Greta Gerwig wannabe who couldn't shine her shoes. This was putting us to sleep in the early evening. You'll need coffee. Credit to some of the actors, but this is a debut thud from Utt. Wife: 4.8/Hubby: 4.9 Average: 4.9/10 Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member pointless,dull,uninteresting-real waste of time-not close to being pleasingly good. Rated 1.5/5 Stars •  Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member A good movie ruined by a truly terrible score and horrible choices of songs. With better underscoring many of the scenes would have been much more charming. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member While it is often uneven, the characters are engaging and honest. Their flaws make them relatable. You might ask yourself why they would do something so foolish, but you are really frustrated with the same mistakes you make in your own life. In this alone the movie soars in forcing self-reflection from it's audience. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Before You Know It

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