 | |
List Price: $14.98 | | Label: MGM (Video & DVD)
Salesrank: 10265
Released: February 24, 2004 |
| Our Price: $3.54 |
| Used Price: $0.65 |
|
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Media: DVD |
|
Editorial Review:
Katie Holmes is "terrific" (People) as the quirky black sheep of her family in this delightful comedy-drama that "sparkles with acerbic wit, original characters and genuine heart" (Variety). Academy AwardÂ(r) nominee* Patricia Clarkson gives "a career-making performance" (Boxoffice), and "the entire cast is inspired" (Film Threat) in this "moving, hilarious comedy" (People). Rebellious daughter April Burns (Holmes) has offered to host an elaborate Thanksgiving dinner for her suburban clan in her grubby Lower East Side apartment. But her attempts to create an unforgettable feast go awry when she discovers that her oven doesn't work. Now, asher weary family makes its way to the city, April must rely on the kindness of strangers to pull off the perfect meal and the perfect memory. *2003: Supporting Actress, Pieces of April
Description of Pieces of April:
The plot of Pieces of April, a sweet independent film, couldn't be simpler: As a raffish young woman named April (chipmunk-cute Katie Holmes, Wonder Boys, Dawson's Creek) struggles to cook Thanksgiving dinner in her dingy, cramped New York apartment, her estranged family slowly drives toward the city, stopping now and then to question why they're going to a meal they expect to be not only bad to eat, but awkward and unhappy. The writing, acting, and directing of Pieces of April ranges from straightforward to clumsy--and yet the movie builds to a surprisingly potent emotional conclusion. Much of the credit goes to wily Patricia Clarkson (High Art, The Station Agent), who plays April's cancer-ridden mother with a compelling mixture of sadness, rebellion, and wistful hope. Also featuring Oliver Platt (Funny Bones), Sean Hayes (Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss), and Derek Luke (Antwone Fisher). --Bret Fetzer
Pieces of April Reviews:
This movie has it! 
2009-12-06 - This movie is a great example of the rawness and sense of intimacy with the viewer achieved in several indie films.
Katie Holmes has mad acting chops here. Oliver Platt also plays a great role, the link between "strangers."
This is a remarkable film about second chances and resolution.
Deeply moving and humorous film of a Thanksgiving reconciliation 
2009-11-26 - I always watch this movie on Thanksgiving Day... and it never fails to make me smile and also bring a tear to my eye. This is a deeply moving tale of what it means to be the misunderstood 'black sheep' of one's family who learns to make her family proud... but also of parents and a brother willing to give her one 'final' chance. Both Patricia Clarkson and Oliver Platt give real, nuanced performances as parents going thru their own tragic hell, the best they are able... and Katie Holmes does a good job of the misunderstood, and difficult daughter, trying desperately to make her family proud. By the end of the film I challenge you to not feel a deep feeling of hope of what every family which suffers from stress, illness, whatever, could experience on Thankgiving (or any) day: forgiveness, love, acceptance and gratitude for each other.
disappointed Thanksgiving movie... 
2008-11-10 - I was looking for a new movie to watch for Thanksgiving. I love comedies and since this movie is located under comedies and had such great reviews, I bought it. I was so disappointed with the movie. First of all, it should be under drama, not comedy. There was not one funny scene in the whole movie. It was boring in some scenes, too many close ups of the goth look of April and the movie was all around horrible. I just wanted to clear up that this movie is not a comedy, if there are any movie lovers out there, like me, that love comedies.
Katie Holmes was really good 
2008-06-11 - Loved the acting and the characters.... but a 'day in the life' movies are not for me. While it was interesting, it was not entertaining to me.
Lovely 
2008-04-24 - After watching the wonderful Dan in Real Life, we were interested in checking out the previous work by Peter Hedges. I'm not disappointed. Pieces of April is a very different story about the same topics: love, family, and what really matters in life. Katie Holmes leads a fantastic cast (Patricia Clarkson is particularly wonderful) in this lovely movie.