The plot of Pieces of April , a sweet independent film, couldn't be simpler: As a raffish young woman named April (chipmunk-cute Katie Holmes, Wonder Boys , Dawson's Creek ) struggles to cook Thanksgiving dinner in her dingy, cramped New York apartment, her estranged family slowly drives toward the city, stopping now and then to question why they're going to a meal they expect to be not only bad to eat, but awkward and unhappy. The writing, acting, and directing of … mehrPieces of April ranges from straightforward to clumsy--and yet the movie builds to a surprisingly potent emotional conclusion. Much of the credit goes to wily Patricia Clarkson ( High Art , The Station Agent ), who plays April's cancer-ridden mother with a compelling mixture of sadness, rebellion, and wistful hope. Also featuring Oliver Platt ( Funny Bones ), Sean Hayes ( Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss ), and Derek Luke ( Antwone Fisher ). --Bret Fetzer weniger
Während ich etwas unsicher die Anfangsminuten von Pieces of April anschaue, hat sich die schräge Familie von April (Katie Holmes) schon auf den Weg zum "hässlichen Entlein" gemacht. Regisseur Peter Hedges setzt die wunderliche Geschichte in einen unaufwändigen, skuril-komischen Film um. Es sind nicht prächtig ausgeleuchtete Aufnahmen oder atemberaubende Szenerien, die Pieces of April zu bieten ... weiterlesen