Pieces of April
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Canada
Movie Reviews of Pieces of April
Movie Review: Moving and Memorable
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie delves into the dynamics of a family with a member who is an outcast, and her attempts to make peace....a twist on the story of the prodigal returning to her family, because her family is actually coming to her. April has invited her family to come into the city for Thanksgiving dinner at her apartment. The film moves back and forth between her traveling family and April's frenetic but earnest attempts to cook the dinner."Pieces of April" is also a testament to the fact that a wonderful and meaningful movie can be made for a small amount of money ($300,000) and in a short period of time. It is a quiet, unassuming film that will only appeal to those who do not need car chases, shootouts, and the like. It is difficult and thought-provoking but that is life, right?
This was a perfect little movie, in my opinion. The story, the cast, the settings...there was nothing that I would change. I read some criticism of the subplot involving April's boyfriend and do not agree...I thought his story was touching and lovely.
I highly recommend this movie.
Movie Review: April is perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
A small, small indie, APRIL has a no-money-for-nothin' look to it and relies on the talents and dialogue of its characters. What a sweet surprise; even an old cynic like me can get a piece of their hearts wounded by April's attempts to prove to her family that she has some substance, and the attempts just fail (though the movie succeeds).
Loosely: April is living with her boyfriend in a crappy NY apartment and palns a Thanksgiving dinner for her parents and siblings. The place is filthy; the sink is scary, but April works it into a managed thing when the oven fails to light.
Based on a real story and combined with the director's real-life mother's battle with cancer, two sides to a common story crash into each other with the help in interferrence of some wonderful neighbors in the building and a few people along the way.
Insightfully shot to capture every image like a network of pasted together still photos that each tell a minor story. PIECES OF APRIL is a family (kinda) friendly film gem!
Movie Review: A study of family and the meaning of Thanksgiving
Summary: 5 Stars
What "It's a Wonderful Life" is to Christmas, "Pieces of April" is to Thanksgiving. Be it in an alternative-lifestyle, postmodern, artistically disjointed way.
April has volunteered to cook the big Thanksgiving dinner for her family and they have accepted. However, April cannot cook and her family does not really want to see her. The film illustrates the truth that the holidays are not always happily anticipated by everyone - some families, in fact, dread being together.
As April attempts to cook the turkey, she encounters her diverse neighbors in the run-down apartment building, each with their own quirks and pain. The film is both gritty and uplifting.
When April struggles to explain to the Asian family how Thanksgiving first came about, you see her stumble onto the true meaning of the holiday. Which is that these people from opposite worlds realized that they ultimately need each other. Suddenly you realize that little has changed since Plymouth Rock, afterall.
Movie Review: Pieces of April is a gem!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Storyline
Pieces of April is a sweet and moving film about a girl named April, played by Katie Holmes (Dawson's Creek). She lives in New York City and invites her family to her home for a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. The family consists of 2 younger siblings (a camera-toting brother and an oh-so-perfect sister), a cancer-stricken mother, and a somewhat-hopeless father. But all hell breaks lose when April finds out her oven is broke and she is unable to cook the turkey. She soon embarks on an interesting journey to every apartment room in the building for help.
The witty script is memorable, along with Patricia Clarkson's performance as the mother. Sean Hayes also gives a good performance as one of the bizarre neighbors in the apartment building.
DVD-Special Features
A short, but excellent featurette about the film with cast interviews and also a commentary by the writer and director of the film, Peter Hedges.
Movie Review: Best rental of the last 12 months
Summary: 5 Stars
Peter Hedges' "Pieces of April" is a profoundly moving movie and a testament to how a spirited and committed cast can weave magic on a shoestring budget. My wife and I have been trying to tell everyone we know about this film. The only *caveat* we give people is that it may be a little too close to home - the dysfunctional family combined with the angst of a Thanksgiving get-together. The tensions revealed here could resonate with anyone.Patricia Clarkson's standout performance has been justifiably well-documented elsewhere. I want to add that I've never been a particularly big Oliver Platt fan, but he's really great here. I can identify with the guy just wanting things to be alright for everyone and trying so, so hard to keep it all together.
The ending of the film is perhaps one of the best I've ever seen. It'll just open the floodgates on your emotions. A real triumph for Peter Hedges.