Critic Reviews

• Gene Stout, Seattle Times

  The torturous tale of a remarkable survivor of the grunge era - the troubled but talented drummer for Courtney Love's band, Hole.

• Tal Rosenberg, Chicago Reader

  Choppy camerawork, sloppy editing, and lack of a coherent narrative structure make for a frustrating viewing experience.

• David Malitz, Washington Post

  Ebersole pieces things together in a workmanlike way, but the tacky supertitles and camera effects often create a bit of an amateur feel.

• Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

  Patty Schemel "lived through this." Once you witness what that "this" was, feel free to follow that up with a "wow."

• David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle

  An absorbing, educational, sad, humorous and ultimately uplifting film that is easily accessible and entertaining even for those not familiar with the grunge rock scene, or with the considerable role that Schemel played in that milieu.

• Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times

  Ebersol seems uncertain throughout of what tale he is telling, whether to focus on Schemel specifically or the larger picture of the band and the moments in contemporary rock history they were all witness to.

• Terry Staunton, Radio Times

  When the film does (eventually) focus on Schemel herself, it provides a fascinating insight into the pressures of the music business and a cautionary tale of life in the fast lane.

• Philip French, Observer [UK]

  Watching this overlong movie is a painful experience.

• Matt Looker, TheShiznit.co.uk

  While this film documents drummer Patty Schemel's struggle with drug addiction, you can't help but feel that her main role in rock 'n' roll history has been as a first-hand witness to events more important and interesting than her own story.

• Rich Cline, Contactmusic.com

  Hole drummer Patty Schemel's feisty personality infuses this fast-paced film, which not only documents her rollercoaster experiences with drug addition but also provides a lucid exploration of the Seattle grunge scene.

• Allan Hunter, Daily Express

  Hit So Hard allows her to look back in candour as she reflects on her career and life ...

• Derek Malcolm, This is London

  There's not enough of the music on view and the film would be a more effective portrait of that era if Ebersole had edited it more effectively.

• Alex Zane, Sun Online

  Sadly, the film loses focus far too often but it's never far from illustrating why drugs and rock 'n' roll have always gone hand in hand.

• Andy Tweddle, Little White Lies

  Hit so-so hard.

• Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

  Hit So Hard is a good title for the film. Courtney Love looks like someone determined to carry on doing the hitting.

• Alistair Harkness, Scotsman

  As Hit So Hard broadens out to talk about Schemel's sexuality, it does offer some astute observations on the history of women in rock.

• Matthew Turner, ViewLondon

  An entertaining and ultimately powerful and moving rockumentary that's something of a must-see for fans of grunge music and remains equally enjoyable for newcomers.

• David Parkinson, Empire Magazine

  A carefully constructed survivor's tale.

• Matt Glasby, Total Film

  What hits hardest is how, without Cobain's talent, grunge's veneration of self-obsession/destruction really curdles.

• Lauren Mayberry, The List

  Schemel herself, now six years sober, comes across so well, addressing incredibly sensitive issues in a self-effacing and honest manner.

Read all 21 critic reviews