Tagline: She’s the one in every family.
Pieces of April movie storyline. In a very poor zone of New York, April Burns and her boyfriend, the Afro-American Bobby, are preparing to receive April’s family for thanksgiving dinner. While Bobby tries to borrow a suit for himself, April realizes that her stove is broken.
She tries desperately to find a neighbor that can let her cook the turkey, since she does not want to fail (again) with her family. Meanwhile, in a suburb of Pennsylvania, her dysfunctional family is preparing to travel to New York. While driving, the relationship between the Burns and their black-sheep April is disclosed through the conversations between her father Jim, her resented mother Joy, her brother, her sister and her grandmother.
Pieces of April is an American comedy-drama film written and directed by Peter Hedges. The film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival. The name is taken from a 1972 hit song by Three Dog Night, which reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The film focuses on three journeys: the family’s arduous trek from suburbia to New York City, punctuated by stops for Krispy Kreme doughnuts, bagels, Joy’s frequent need for a restroom or a joint to ease her pain, a burial service for an animal they hit, and various arguments and recriminations, as well as discussions of their disappointment in April; Bobby’s efforts to find a suit so he can make a good impression on his girlfriend’s relatives; and April’s preparations for the meal, a near disaster when she discovers her oven is broken. With the help of various neighbors, she manages to assemble dinner, while learning to appreciate the importance of family and making some new friends in the process.
Pieces of April (2003)
Directed by: Peter Hedges
Starring: Katie Holmes, Patricia Clarkson, Oliver Platt, Sean Hayes, Derek Luke, Susan Bruce, John Gallagher Jr., Alison Pill, Leila Danette, Lillias White
Screenplay by: Peter Hedges
Production Design by: Rick Butler
Cinematography by: Tami Reiker
Film Editing by: Mark Livolsi
Costume Design by: Laura Bauer
Art Direction by: Shannon Robert Bowen, Aleta Shaffer
Music by: Stephin Merritt
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language, sensuality, drug content, nudity.
Distributed by: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Release Date: October 17, 2003
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