Pieces of April (2003)

84% of critics liked it
(146 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(28,535 ratings)

Novelist and screenwriter Peter Hedges makes his directorial debut with the comedy drama Pieces of April. Family outcast April Burns (Katie Holmes) lives in a beat-up apartment in New York's Lower East Side with her boyfriend, Bobby (Derek Luke). In order to spend some time with her dying mother,… More Novelist and screenwriter Peter Hedges makes his directorial debut with the comedy drama Pieces of April. Family outcast April Burns (Katie Holmes) lives in a beat-up apartment in New York's Lower East Side with her boyfriend, Bobby (Derek Luke). In order to spend some time with her dying mother, Joy (Patricia Clarkson), April invites her conservative suburban family to her place for a Thanksgiving feast. She discovers that her oven is broken the morning of the big day, so she goes around her tenement building trying to find a sympathetic neighbor with a working oven. Though she doesn't know them, neighbors Eugene (Isiah Whitlock) and Evette (Lillias White) offer the use of their oven, but only for an hour. While she frantically tries to complete the meal, the family drives in from Pennsylvania sharing less-than-pleasant opinions about April's lifestyle. Dad Jim (Oliver Platt) tries to think positively, while daughter Beth (Alison Pill) flaunts her good-girl status and son Timmy (John Gallagher Jr.) captures it all on film. Shot with digital video, Pieces of April is a project of the Independent Film Channel's InDigEnt production company. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Peter Hedges
Written By: Peter Hedges
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 17, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Feb 24, 2004
Studio: United Artists

Critic Reviews

Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
Pieces of April is built around the tired premise of a dysfunctional family's Thanksgiving get-together, but -- surprise -- it's fresh.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
Longer on calculating sourness than on psychologically organic wit.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
It's in the cross-cutting between April's disaster-prone preparations and her family's turbulent journey that Hedges's movie finds its lively and likeable rhythm.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
This is one of those quietly wonderful films that really deserves an audience.
Stephen Cole, Globe and Mail
The film more than earns its heartwarming finale by virtue of the skilled performances of the leads.
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic
It looks like what it is: a movie shot quickly, with digital cameras and on the cheap, but with enough talent on screen to keep the audience engaged.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Thought-provoking, engaging; mid-teens and older.
Nick Rogers, Suite101.com
Peter Hedges sustains the idea this family's interactions have begun with bared teeth for years. If they can summon it, one comforting moment will have to do. At best, it's a ramshackle reconciliation of tough-minded emotion and well-earned laughter.
, Film4
April's cranberry sauce may be canned but the laughter and tears of an affecting, unsentimental coda are real.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Pieces of April has its heart in the right place, and while it may not always be entirely successful, marks a promising debut for a talented filmmaker.
Mark Halverson, Sacramento News & Review
Screenwriter Peter Hedges makes his directorial debut with the best entry to date in the burgeoning Thanksgiving Day-from-hell genre.
Keith H. Brown, Eye for Film
Had Hedges gone with unknown actors, or non-professionals, it might have worked, but with recognisable faces one can never quite suspend disbelief enough to care about the characters.
Kam Williams, Princeton Town Topics
A delightful, charming, instant holiday classic which makes us laugh repeatedly while delivering an emotionally satisfying message about unconditional love.
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy
A series of terrific performances (led by the amazing Patricia Clarkson) make this unusual Thanksgiving comedy a feast for the mind.
Derek Adams, Time Out
Laughter and poignancy go hand in hand in this DV debut whose comedy that may be standard, but never ceases to deliver sharp, dark laughs.
Natasha Aitken, Empire Magazine
A shining example of just how compelling and affecting low-budget filmmaking can be when you've got a good story and strong cast.
Don R. Lewis, Film Threat
Peter Hedges has made a simple and sweet movie that will leave you misty eyed.
Tim Merrill, Film Threat
A film to savor and to be thankful for.
Mark Sells, Film Threat
Holmes, Clarkson, and Platt steer the course through the straight and narrow and keep the film from becoming an inedible holiday leftover.
Enrique Buchichio, Uruguay Total
Es una pequeña peliculita, pero con una sensibilidad enorme.

Read all 23 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Conner R

A one part great movie and one part bad movie. The storylines of Derek Luke and Katie Holmes are perfect and extremely well done, while the scenes with the family are the same cliche seen over and over. I think what also works extremely well is the cinematography and documentary look.… More
A one part great movie and one part bad movie. The storylines of Derek Luke and Katie Holmes are perfect and extremely well done, while the scenes with the family are the same cliche seen over and over. I think what also works extremely well is the cinematography and documentary look. It feels like you're living in this apartment building and taking a look at a real place rather than fiction. Overall, it works. It's just not as good as it theoretically could have been.
Megan S

I've wanted to see this movie for a while. It was definitely enjoyable. I'm starting to like these quirky, independent, true-to-life movies more than the big action blockbusters actually. You could feel the awkwardness of both sides of the family through the television.
Anthony L

A disappointing indie film that promised so much more. Only Patricia Clarkson?s performance is worth watching for as she?s, as always, on great form.
Jennifer X

Katie Holmes was impressive. I love that Peter Hedges takes the simple event of Thanksgiving dinner and paints an extremely thorough picture of it. Quirky and delicious.
Dean L

The surprisingly refreshing story of a family estranged from their daughter, April. April has been a "screw-up" and a "misfit" and she never seems to do anything right. The family thinks that she is just trying to make them mad and maybe she was..., but now she is… More
The surprisingly refreshing story of a family estranged from their daughter, April. April has been a "screw-up" and a "misfit" and she never seems to do anything right. The family thinks that she is just trying to make them mad and maybe she was..., but now she is trying to put it back together. YES...you have seen this plot before in many incarnations, but not through these eyes. If you watch the movie you will find that the subject hits close to home for the writer/director. Also, the vehicle used to speak to helping one another is truly unique (the oven/turkey...you'll get it when you see the movie). Great performances by Patricia Clarkson and Oliver Platt. Solid performance from Katie Holmes. Enjoy!
Nate Z

[font='Times New Roman'][color=#b22222][/color] [center][font=Arial][size=2][color=darkred][img]http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/8765/piecesofapril27fk.jpg[/img][/color][/size][/font][/center] [font=Arial][size=2][color=darkred][/color][/size][/font]… More
[font='Times New Roman'][color=#b22222][/color] [center][font=Arial][size=2][color=darkred][img]http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/8765/piecesofapril27fk.jpg[/img][/color][/size][/font][/center] [font=Arial][size=2][color=darkred][/color][/size][/font] [font=Arial][size=2][color=darkred]The set-up for [i]Pieces of April[/i], a low budget film starring Katie Holmes, is a pastiche of familiar independent film elements so much so that it could across as parody.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Arial][size=2][color=darkred]Holmes plays April Burns, a beleaguered teen living on her own in a grungy New York apartment. Today is Thanksgiving and her family will be stopping by for a grand Thanksgiving meal prepared by April. Her cantankerous mother (Patricia Clarkson) is ailing from breast cancer, and when she tries to think of one good memory she?s had with April, she can only conjure memories belonging to younger daughter Beth (Alison Pill). She also will be introducing her family to her new boyfriend, Bobby (Derek Luke of [i]Antoine Fisher[/i]). April has 24 hours to cook a memorable meal for her family and it could be the last Thanksgiving they spend together.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Arial][size=2][color=darkred]In the world of independent film, it seems like there?s a whole sub-genre of movies that revolve around chaotic Thanksgiving dinners and dysfunctional families. The holiday setting, her mother?s cancer, April?s spirited attempts at autonomy in the big city, interracial dating and an apartment complex full of cute oddballs all seem like tried-and-true staples of indie film.[/color][/size][/font] [size=2][font=Arial][color=darkred][i]Pieces of April[/i] was written and directed by Peter Hedges, writer of [i]What?s Eating Gilbert Grape? [/i]and co-writer of [i]About a Boy[/i]. His pedigree would certainly state that he knows something about family drama, and [i]Pieces of April[/i] is a nice continuation of his observational humor. Hedges has a skilled confidence in his writing. The characters feel real and we gravitate to their vulnerability and hope. We see every sincere detail of April?s plight to make her family proud. The choice to shoot [i]Pieces of April[/i] on digital video adds an extra element of intimacy, like we?re trapped inside a home video.[/color][/font][/size] [font=Arial][size=2][color=darkred]Holmes gives her best performance to date. April, with patches of bright orange hair and arms enclosed with bracelets, is a sweetly vibrant character. When a neighbor asks about her relationship with her mother, April describes herself as the first pancake. ?She?s the one you?re supposed to throw out,? another neighbor explains. Holmes? performance is like a slow simmer of frustration, optimism and determination that wins your heart. Her more dramatic moments of helplessness and disappointment are quite affecting.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Arial][size=2][color=darkred]The supporting cast for [i]Pieces of April[/i] is top-notch. Clarkson gets some weighty moments as the ailing mother, like when she runs out of the car in tears because she can?t afford one more bad memory with April. She gets the showy part but enlivens every moment. Oliver Platt further feeds my theory of his quest to be in every movie ever. In [i]Pieces of April[/i] he plays the put-upon father who frets his wife could pass any moment. Pill shines as the hyperactively cheerful and overachieving Beth. Her cherubic cheeks and glowing smile leave an indelible impression, and makes me question if her face ever got sore from excessive smiling.[/color][/size][/font] [font='Times New Roman'][size=2][font=Arial][color=darkred][i]Pieces of April[/i] is a pleasurable little comedy that?s borderline touching. It?s not much more than a small slice of family drama, but with excellent writing and strong acting, [i]Pieces of April [/i]distinguishes itself as more than a collection of familiar staples, and as a warm and quietly charming homespun comedy with an extra helping of heart.[/color][/font][/size][/font] [font='Times New Roman'][/font] [font='Times New Roman'][/font][font='Times New Roman'][font=Arial][size=2][color=darkred]Nate's Grade: B+[/color][/size][/font][/font][/font]
Mike N

It just occurred to me that my last journal entry was a little out of line. I gotta apologize for that last entry, as I irresponsibly posted a link to some awfully sketchy humor regarding rape, and I never put any sort of warning or disclaimer. A complete lapse in judgment on my part… More
It just occurred to me that my last journal entry was a little out of line. I gotta apologize for that last entry, as I irresponsibly posted a link to some awfully sketchy humor regarding rape, and I never put any sort of warning or disclaimer. A complete lapse in judgment on my part there, and I want to extend my apologies to those who might've been offended. Very un-Neum of me. I guess that link in question appealed to my old college self :p (I collected most issues of The Onion in college). And the songs that have been dominating my earplay lately (and these are much less well-known than the ones I posted before): [u][b]If You Could Read My Mind[/b] by Gordon Lightfoot[/u] (Just heard this in the movie 'Wonderland' - there's also a disco version of this song at the end of the movie '54'. This version's way better, of course :p) [size=1]If you could read my mind love What a tale my thoughts could tell Just like an old time movie 'bout a ghost from a wishin' well In a castle dark or a fortress strong With chains upon my feet You know that ghost is me And I will never be set free As long as I'm a ghost that you can't see[/size] [size=1] If i could read your mind love What a tale your thoughts could tell Just like a paperback novel The kind that drugstores sell When you reach the part where the heartaches come The hero would be me But heroes often fail And you won't read that book again Because the ending's just too hard to take I'd walk away like a movie star Who gets burned in a three way script Enter number two A movie queen to play the scene Of bringing all the good things out in me But for now love, let's be real * I never thought I could act this way * And I've got to say that I just don't get it I don't know where we went wrong But the feelin's gone And I just can't get it back If you could read my mind love What a tale my thoughts could tell Just like an old time movie 'bout a ghost from a wishin' well In a castle dark or a fortress strong With chains upon my feet But stories always end And if you read between the lines You'll know that I'm just tryin' to understand The feelin's that you lack I never thought I could feel this way And I've got to say that I just to get it I don't know where we went wrong But the feelin's gone And I just can't get it back [size=2][/size] [size=2][u][b]Everybody's Talkin'[/b] by Harry Nilsson[/u][/size] [size=1]Everybody's talking at me I don't hear a word they're saying Only the echoes of my mind People stopping staring I can't see their faces Only the shadows of their eyes I'm going where the sun keeps shining Thru' the pouring rain Going where the weather suits my clothes Banking off of the North East wind Sailing on a summer breeze And skipping over the ocean like a stone[/size] [size=2][u][b]Windy [/b]by The Association[/u][/size] Who's peekin' out from under a stairway Calling a name that's lighter than air Who's bending down to give me a rainbow Everyone knows it's Windy Who's tripping down the streets of the city Smilin' at everybody she sees Who's reachin' out to capture a moment Everyone knows it's Windy And Windy has stor-my eyes That flash at the sound of lies And Windy has wings to fly Above the clouds (above the clouds) Above the clouds (above the clouds) ------ flute ------ And Windy has stor-my eyes That flash at the sound of lies And Windy has wings to fly Above the clouds (above the clouds) Above the clouds (above the clouds) Who's tripping down the streets of the city Smilin' at everybody she sees Who's reachin' out to capture a moment Everyone knows it's Windy [repeat and fade] [size=2][u][b]20th Century Boy[/b] by T-Rex[/u][/size] [size=2](More for the rockin' than the lyrics :p)[/size] Friends say it's fine Friends say it's good Everybody says it's just like rock and roll I move like a cat Charge like a ram Sting like a bee Babe I want to be your man Well it's plain to see You were meant for me Yea I'm your toy Your 20th century boy Fly like a plane Drive like a car Ball like a hound Babe I want to be your man 20th century boy I want to be your toy 20th century boy I want to be your toy [u][size=2][b]Blowin' Free[/b] by Wishbone Ash[/size][/u] I thought I had a giiirl And all because I seen her. I thought I had a giiirl And all because I seen her. Her hair was golden brown (yes it was) Blowin' free...like a cornfield. She was far away I found it hard to reach her. She told me you can try But it's impossible to find her. In my dreams everything was all right - In your schemes you can only try. [u][size=2][b]Ice Cream Man[/b] by Van Halen[/size][/u] Dedicate one to the ladies... Now summertime's here babe, need somethin' to keep you cool Ah, now summertime's here babe, need somethin' to keep you cool Better look out now though, Dave's got somethin' for you Tell ya what it is I'm your ice cream man, stop me when I'm passin' by Oh my, my, I'm your ice cream man, stop me when I'm passin' by See now all my flavors are guaranteed to satisfy Hold on a second baby I got puddin' pie, banana dixie cups All flavors and pushups too I'm your ice cream man baby, stop me when I'm passin' by See now all my flavors are guaranteed to satisfy Hold on, one more Well I'm usually passin' by just about eleven o'clock Uh huh, I never stop I'm usually passin' by just around eleven o'clock And if you let cool you one time, you'll be my regular stop All right boys! I got puddin' pie, banana dixie cups All flavors and pushups too I'm your ice cream man, stop me when I'm passin' by See now all my flavors are guaranteed to satisfy, yes I'm your ice cream man, stop me when I'm passin' by I'm your ice cream man, stop me when I'm passin' by They say all my flavors are guaranteed to satisfy Ah one time (Guitar Solo) I'm your ice cream man, stop me when I'm passin' by I'm your ice cream man, stop me when I'm passin' by They say all my flavors are guaranteed to satisfy One time boys! I'm your ice cream man I'm your ice cream man B-B-B-B-B-B-B-Baby! Ah my my my All my flavors are guaranteed......to satis-uh-fy Ow! [size=2][u][b]In Your Eyes[/b] by Peter Gabriel[/u][/size] Love...I get so lost, sometimes Days pass and this emptiness fills my heart When I want to run away I drive off in my car But whichever way I go I come back to the place you are All my instincts, they return And the grand facade, so soon will burn Without a noise, without my pride I reach out from the inside In your eyes The light the heat In your eyes I am complete In your eyes I see the doorway to a thousand churches In your eyes The resolution of all the fruitless searches In your eyes I see the light and the heat In your eyes Oh, I want to be that complete I want to touch the light The heat I see in your eyes Love, I don't like to see so much pain So much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away I get so tired of working so hard for our survival I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive And all my instincts, they return And the grand facade, so soon will burn Without a noise, without my pride I reach out from the inside In your eyes The light the heat In your eyes I am complete In your eyes I see the doorway to a thousand churches In your eyes The resolution of all the fruitless searches In your eyes I see the light and the heat In your eyes Oh, I want to be that complete I want to touch the light, The heat I see in your eyes In your eyes in your eyes In your eyes in your eyes In your eyes in your eyes [size=2][/complete lack of originality in repeating entry ideas][/size] [/size]
Nicolas K

A decent quirky indie film about an imperfect daughter having her imperfect family over for thanksgiving dinner.
Laurence C

A generous, heartfelt little motion picture that helps us remember that excellence doesn't exclude compact, unambitious projects like this one. Pieces of April speaks to the human nature, i.e. our unability to express the love buried somewhere inside ourselves, underneath… More
A generous, heartfelt little motion picture that helps us remember that excellence doesn't exclude compact, unambitious projects like this one. Pieces of April speaks to the human nature, i.e. our unability to express the love buried somewhere inside ourselves, underneath long-lasting resentment and different values. Its short running time still doesn't prevent us from getting inside these complex minds, and backed by all-around superb performances (Holmes and Clarkson getting the top honors), the characters in Pieces of April really resonate and stick with the viewer. Add to that an almost completely naturalistic flow of great dialogue and solid, unpretentious directing from Hedges, and you've got yourself a real hidden gem. Don't miss out on this one...
Sunil J

A great heartwarming black comedy to get you through the holidays. Katie Holmes's only really good role.
Sarah B

Quirky but seriously offbeat. Holmes is on Dawson's Creek standard, it's only Patricia Clarkson who holds this film together and out of average city. Sean Hayes is a touch mad and strangely great.
Leo L

Great!
Chosen 7

Good film
Sarah P

Sort of Little Miss Sunshine - dysfunctional family traveling to visit their dysfunctional daughter.
Haley A

Katie Holmes is impressive.