Pieces of April

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Pieces of April

PG-13

Released Oct 17, 2003

1h 21m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

84%

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152 Reviews

73%

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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.

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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.

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Sheila Norman-Culp

Associated Press

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.

Nov 9, 2018

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Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

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

Dec 20, 2017

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

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

Rated: 4/5

Dec 27, 2010

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Michael Cuby

them.

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

Sep 28, 2022

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Felicia Feaster

Creative Loafing

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

Jan 29, 2020

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Mattie Lucas

The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)

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

Rated: 3/4

Jun 5, 2019

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Jane M

This is the funniest movie I have seen in forever! If April's turkey and meal prep doesn't have you wailing in both pain and laughter...you have never cooked a Thanksgiving meal! If somehow you find my "needle in a haystack " review, get this for Thanksgiving and family healing (thankfully, my family is wonderful)!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/19/23

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Roy V

I seem to vaguely remember another movie about a family riding around in a car.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/13/23

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Eric F

The dialogue was sparsely lacking to draw me in to this family's dysfunctional world. For me, it was a vapid and overall unpleasant experience.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/24/23

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KEVIN C

Dysfunctional family Thanksgiving is on deck as prodigal daughter played by Katie Holmes decides to host her parents and siblings for Thanksgiving at her and her boyfriend's seedy New York apartment building. Great ensemble cast and performances by Patricia Clarkson, Oliver Platt, Derek Luke and more. Short run time ensures it doesn't wear out its welcome.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/09/22

Full Review

darren h

It took me a little while to catch on to this somewhat low key, low budget film. Surprisingly, it was worth my initial disorientation and doubt. It's a very genuine movie, beautifully lacking all of the usual Hollywood pretense. Once I caught on to its subtleties, it turned out to be a real gem (watch it right before Thanksgiving)!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

I almost stopped watching, but the movie reeled me in. What a little gem! I know it came out almost 20 years ago and this commentary is equivalent to a tree falling in the woods, but I would argue that most families at some point in their evolution, struggle through holidays, members bring baggage to what ends up being a two hour sit-down dinner, and this movie encapsulates the drama of the event quite well. Loved all the actors in their characters (the casting was remarkable, in hindsight), loved the many threads woven into one textured piece, and thought it worth cobbling a few words of praise.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

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Peter Hedges

Director

Katie Holmes

April Burns

Patricia Clarkson

Joy Burns

Oliver Platt

Jim Burns

Derek Luke

Bobby

Alison Pill

Beth Burns

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Pieces of April: Trailer 1

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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

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