By Samantha Fodrowski
Every family has that one; the free spirit who chooses to follow his or her own path. “Pieces of April” chronicles protagonist April Burns (Katie Holmes) as she prepares Thanksgiving dinner for her estranged family.
The film was written and directed by novelist and screenwriter Peter Hedges. Hedges has written films such as “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” and adapted films such as “About a Boy,” however, this is his directing debut. “Pieces of April” stars Holmes, Patricia Clarkson, Oliver Platt, Derek Luke and Sean Hayes (“Will ‘ Grace”).
“Pieces of April” combines a poignant storyline along with characters that many can easily relate to. In one way or another, the Burns’ are a reflection of most families.
April is the “black sheep” of the family. The achievements of middle sister Beth have long overshadowed those of April’s. Youngest brother Danny, who is obsessed with photography, captures on film the deep-seeded pain that haunts the Burns family.
April’s mother, Joy (Clarkson), is unable to remember a single happy memory of April’s childhood, and her father Jim (Platt) is adamant that Thanksgiving will not be a loss and tries desperately to redeem Joy’s feelings for their daughter.
April and her African-American boyfriend, Bobby, live together in the small apartment — but don’t get the wrong idea — this indie film is hardly another mainstream story about an interracial couple. Burns brings the film into the 21st century, the norm of their interracial relationship shows how far society has come in viewing such issues.
While her family makes the drive from the suburbs of Pennsylvania, April tries fervently to make this Thanksgiving meal special. The mood is set once Bobby gives her ceramic turkey salt and pepper shakers; the same shakers that April’s mother had once told her were worth more than she was. Bobby tells her they cost 50 cents. April hurriedly ushers Bobby from the apartment so she can begin to prepare the holiday meal.
It is no surprise that her stove refuses to work, but when April, who might just have a difficult time cooking Easy Mac, attempts to light the oven with a small flame, her streak of bad luck continues. April goes on a hunt throughout her apartment building looking for assistance. She gets help from very unlikely places, including anal retentive Wayne (Hayes) in apartment 5D.
As April faces a discouraging chain of events, the viewer sympathizes with the girl whose attempts to succeed have all failed. The camera techniques used throughout the film allow the viewer to feel as if he or she is there in the filthy Lower East Side apartment and along for the ride in the family station wagon.
“Pieces of April” is a film about coming to terms with the past and in turn, finding inner peace. “Pieces of April” is now playing in a select theaters.
