Before You Know It

Before You Know It is an endearing, clever, and multi-layered comedy-drama film released in 2019. Directed by Hannah Pearl Utt, the movie finely ages like wine, offering a unique blend of humor, warmth, and thoughtful insights into the complexities of family dynamics. Utt, in addition to her directorial role, co-stars in this indie gem and, together with co-writer Jen Tullock, has crafted a delightfully offbeat narrative that blends dramatic impacts with wistful layers of humor. The film also features notable performances from Ayden Mayeri, as well as the brilliant young actress Oona Yaffe.

Set in New York City, the backdrop to countless tales of dreams and challenges, 'Before You Know It' focuses on two adult sisters, Rachel and Jackie Gurner, played by Utt and Tullock respectively. Unconventional yet relatable, the Gurner sisters live in a cramped but charming downtown apartment above the small theater owned by their family. Here, they negotiate through the trials and tribulations of their quirky, complicated existence.

Rachel is the more serious of the two; a reserved, plays-by-the-book stage manager for the family’s theater, struggling with her aspirations to produce her own play and stepping out from the shadow of her overbearing father. Jackie, on the other hand, is a free-spirited, eccentric single mother. She is fun and quirky while at the same time deeply caring and, at times, overly protective of her preadolescent daughter Dodge, masterfully portrayed by Oona Yaffe.

The sisters’ world is comprised of the unconventional family theater, the shared responsibility of bringing up Dodge, and the constant supervision of their father Mel, a failed playwright who presides over their lives with unintentional tyranny cloaked as an artistic temperament. Complexity of life intersects with unexpected information after a strange turn of events pushes the film and the sisters in a direction that they never imagined, and a secret that has been deeply buried for years emerges to the surface.

The journey from here introduces the sisters to a world outside their eccentric bubble and propels them through an idiosyncratic exploration of their identities, their relationships - with each other and with their own selves - and their place in the world. It's an exploration of what home and family mean, when the definitions are not straightforward. The narrative handles the dichotomy of this journey with humorous and poignant touch which further illuminates the movie's central theme about the challenging process of self-discovery and the intricacies of familial bonding.

Hannah Pearl Utt shines as the film's co-lead, director, and co-writer, demonstrating versatility in managing both comic and dramatic aspects. She portrays Rachel with a restrained sadness, contrasted by a glimmer of hope that underlines her character's journey through the film. Jen Tullock as Jackie breathes life into a character who appears to be melting under the pressure of raising a child, while Ayden Mayeri lends an interesting flavor to the character ensemble. Special mention is deserved by Oona Yaffe, whose portrayal of Dodge captures the vulnerability and curiosity of the pre-adolescent years with commendable finesse. The rest of the cast, including several cameo appearances from familiar faces, provides excellent support and makes sure the narrative flows smoothly and engagingly.

Before You Know It is a film about love, life, laughter, and the chaos that comes embedded in the term “family.” It's a story that revolves around the oddities of life and relationships, the reality we believe in, and the reality that exists beyond our beliefs. It busts the myth of normalcy while embracing the beauty of abnormal within the realm of relationships. This film is also a testament to the narrative and directorial prowess of Hannah Pearl Utt and stands as a delightful watch for those who appreciate films with character-driven stories and quirky humor. At the same time, it's deep, thoughtful, and delightfully eccentric.