Pieces of April

Starring: Katie Holmes, Patricia Clarkson, Derek Luke, Sean Hayes, Oliver Platt
Directed by: Peter Hedges
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Drama
2003

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A young woman (Katie Holmes) goes through a terribly difficult day trying to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for her estranged family in an attempt to reconnect with him. She is plagued by problems and has to rely on the kindness of strangers in her apartment complex to help her so she can finish the meal and salvage her family's love.

Review:

Tim: This is a film about family, redemption, and forgiveness. But, it is really about boredom. Katie Holmes works really hard to put on the ideal Thanksgiving dinner for her family, despite many obstacles. The problem is that her family is a bit despicable, as is Holmes' past. Her mother isn't very kind or loving, her sister is a stuck up brat, her brother is kinda cool, her grandmother is senile, and her dad... well, Oliver Platt is always fun to watch. April's past includes a number of negative actions including dating a drug dealer. These are the people we are supposed to have an emotional interest in? Please.

Holmes is decent, but her performance is grossly overrated. From the praise I heard, I expected a great deal more. Just because an actor does a small independent film does not mean that they give a tremendous performance automatically (as many people will claim without realizing it). The supporting cast is decent, and all have a few good moments in which to shine.

Pieces of April has quite a few unnecessary moments- the picture book in the car, most of Derek Luke's screen time, Holmes "explaining" Thanksgiving, and more. Much of the film feels like an exorbitant waste of our time.

This should have been a touching, heartwarming story. Instead , it is less than amusing, not funny, and boring.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Igby Goes Down, The Gift, Home for the Holidays