where to start? I was really interested but it was almost impossible to watch. For a documentary relying on the anecdotes and insights of it's primary subject Patty Schemel, i found her and everyone around her incredibly confusing, annoying and vague to actually understand. this is where the director should have picked up the pieces and try to make something coherent of this mess. but he couldn't pull it off. Another thing that bothered me a lot was how little attention they put to Kristen Pfaff's life and death. You barely get to see her and it is definitely overshadowed by Cobain's death. And sadly at the end the only thing that kept me from turning this off was the rare clips of Kurt Cobain This is a missed opportunity into making a great documentary of a once great drummer.

Ebersole and Hughes manage to avoid all the pitfalls of your average Fall and Rise story. It's incredibly touching without ever being sappy or self-indulgent. What comes across is the story of a really clever, talented, brave woman who you end up rooting for regardless of whether you were a fan or not. You see people rather than icons which is so rare and refreshing. There's also a real story here with some great twists which I won't give away.If you are a fan (I am) there's just a ton of fascinating footage that really takes you back to that time. The interviews are candid, relaxed and very real which is a testament to the film-makers. Ebersole shows respect for his subjects and it shows. I saw it with a group of friends and we were still talking about it the next day.

This film, about a young woman finding her way in music and life, who just happened to be the drummer of the Epic Band HOLE during my younger years, made me see my own struggles, and had me cheering for her all the way. PATTY SCHEMEL ROCKS!!!Cobain, Love, and Schemel made the ultimate alternative family. there was love, through it all. And today, love is alive.Director P. David Ebersole takes a celebrity type story and paints a swirling life lived fully, yes roughly, and now admirably. Patty and her Alternative Family of Today are showing the world that young girls rock, need to rock, will rock, and should be supporting in their rocking. It's an important story. A big story. A personal story. A universal story.

"Hit So Hard", directed by the gifted and multi-faceted filmmaker, P. David Ebersole, chronicles the life of one of rock's most talented drummers, Patty Schemel, of the band "Hole". Great archival footage with thoughtful structure pulls in all the elements that make this film an amazing rock doc. The interviews are solid, funny, and touching with voices that are rarely seen on camera - such as a comprehensive section on female drummers. There is, of course, just a touch of super rare footage of Kurt and Courtney's but just as it relates to Patty. The film does a wonderful job of keeping the focus on Patty without venturing into the usual suspects. We gain insight on what it was like to come out as a gay teen and later as a gay musician in the limelight. Patty's mother and brother add sentimental stories that connect you to Patty's complexity. So personal and layered, it will leave you feeling so satisfied. Highly recommend!