Pieces of April

Play trailer

1:39

Pieces of April

PG-13

2003

1h 21m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

150 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Quirky and rebellious April Burns (Katie Holmes) lives with her boyfriend in a low-rent New York City apartment miles away from her emotionally distant family. But when she discovers that her mother (Patricia Clarkson) has a fatal form of breast cancer, she invites the clan to her place for Thanksgiving. While her father (Oliver Platt) struggles to drive her family into the city, April -- an inexperienced cook -- runs into kitchen trouble and must ask a neighbor (Sean Hayes) for help.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Pieces of April transcends its small-scale setting and budget with endearing performances, playful humor, and genuine sweetness, resulting in a touching holiday treat.

Read Critics Reviews

Sheila Norman-Culp

Associated Press

11/09/2018

Thanksgiving just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a dysfunctional family reunion, but writer-director Peter Hedges comes up with an original take on the holiday disaster theme in the quiet gem Pieces of April.

Go to Full Review

Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

12/20/2017

It's interesting to see [Katie] Holmes in something like this, which gives an edge to her usual cute and cloying persona.

Go to Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/27/2010

4/5

Thought-provoking, engaging; mid-teens and older.

Go to Full Review

Michael Cuby

them.

09/28/2022

A classic dysfunctional family dramedy, Pieces of April is a deliberately intimate affair that works because of its small scope.

Go to Full Review

Felicia Feaster

Creative Loafing

01/29/2020

Pieces of April feels ready for the insertion of canned laughter and a sitcom slot in network prime-time.

Go to Full Review

Mattie Lucas

The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)

06/05/2019

3/4

A light, delicious confection that hits you like a bullet to the heart.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Meri S.

@mschroeder Dec 5

An ok Thanksgiving themed movie with a great cast. I was a little annoyed by some of the characters, but the ending was nice. I wouldn’t go out if my way to recommend this to a friend.

See more

Erik B

Dec 3

A little melodramatic, and maybe a bit unbelievable...but it's sweet and heartwarming, and a nice addition to the Thanksgiving repertoire.

See more

Clark T

Nov 29

As far as I'm concerned, this is the only real Thanksgiving movie.

See more

Tao C

Nov 25

I thought it is a comedy. At the end it made me cry. What a wonderful movie.

See more

Horror fan 4

Nov 20

Amazing performances and funny moments bring together this classic thanksgiving movie. Tim Treakle

See more

Scott M

Feb 8

Unique story about a family headed to their horrible daughter/sister's for Thanksgiving in New York City. Patricia Clarkson is amazing.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Peter Hedges

Director

Katie Holmes

April Burns

Patricia Clarkson

Joy Burns

Oliver Platt

Jim Burns

Derek Luke

Bobby

Alison Pill

Beth Burns

Raising Helen

25%

61%

Raising Helen

Watchlist

In Her Shoes

74%

66%

In Her Shoes

Watchlist

Calendar Girls

73%

67%

Calendar Girls

Watchlist

Spanglish

54%

60%

Spanglish

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Spanglish

The Salon

13%

66%

The Salon

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Pieces of April: Trailer 1

1:39

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Quirky and rebellious April Burns (Katie Holmes) lives with her boyfriend in a low-rent New York City apartment miles away from her emotionally distant family. But when she discovers that her mother (Patricia Clarkson) has a fatal form of breast cancer, she invites the clan to her place for Thanksgiving. While her father (Oliver Platt) struggles to drive her family into the city, April -- an inexperienced cook -- runs into kitchen trouble and must ask a neighbor (Sean Hayes) for help.

Director: Peter Hedges
Producer: John S. Lyons, Gary Winick, Alexis Alexanian, Holly Becker
Screenwriter: Peter Hedges
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: IFC Productions, InDiGent Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Images of Nudity|Drug Content|Language|Sensuality)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 17, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.4M
Runtime: 1h 21m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now