The fourth time Hedges attempted to get the film developed, he took it to independent company InDigEnt, who signed it immediately, albeit on a much smaller budget of $300,000. Bobby leaves the apartment to purchase a suit so he can make a good impression upon meeting April's family. This FAQ is empty. "[8] Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 70 out of 100, based on 36 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". 14 were here. [4], Pieces of April was filmed in 16 days. [4], Katie Holmes had always agreed to play the lead role; Hedges said he thought she was drawn to the role as it differed so much from characters she had previously portrayed. Hedges says he only began putting serious effort into the script after his mother had died. April gave us springtime. Written by Stephin Merritt and performed by his various bands, it was released on November 4, 2003 on Nonesuch Records . When they went to cook their turkey they discovered their oven did not work, so had to go door to door in the building to try and use one of their neighbor's. [16] In 2003, she won in that category at the Boston Society of Film Critics Awards,[22] the Chicago Film Critics Association Awards,[23] the National Board of Review Awards[24] and the San Francisco Film Critics Circle Awards,[25] and in 2004, she won it at the Florida Film Critics Circle Awards,[26] the National Society of Film Critics Awards,[27] and the Satellite Awards. PIECES OF APRIL is a movie that does more than trust its audience; it invites the audience to participate by bringing their own ideas and experiences to fill in the story. [1], The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an approval rating of 84% based on reviews from 153 critics, with an average rating of 7.12/10. However, he also wrote Pieces of April, which became a Top Twenty Hit in 1973. And the feeling that we both shared. While Bobby tries to borrow a suit for himself, April realizes that her stove is broken. After losing her job, making out with her soon-to-be former boss, and finding out that her daughter plans to spend Thanksgiving with her boyfriend, Claudia Larson faces spending the holiday with her family. Due to time limitations some scenes showing the Burns family driving to visit April were actually shot while the actors were driving to additional filming locations. The model's sister suspects something isn't quite right with the police investagation and ... See full summary ». And the promise of the flowers. 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. Pieces of April speaks to the human nature, i.e. While Bobby tries to borrow a suit for himself, April realizes that her stove is broken. [28] She also won the 'Special Jury Prize for Outstanding Dramatic Performance' award at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, for her roles in Pieces of April, and also The Station Agent and All the Real Girls. When have you shifted in your life? It's easy to believe that it is a home movie. Following its positive reception there, the rights to the film were reported to be in a bidding war with companies including Miramax, Fine Line Features and Artisan Entertainment. With only the plan of moving in together after high school, two unusually devious friends seek direction in life. Pieces of April was in pre-production on three separate occasions, each time with a budget of around $7 million, though attempts to get the film off the ground repeatedly failed. I could not believe this wonderful work had passed me without saying hello in one form or other. Sisqó also originally applied for the role of Bobby, though Hedges did not think he was suited to the role as he was shorter than Holmes, and instead suggested he play Latrell. Another Watch Pieces of April starring Katie Holmes in this Comedy on DIRECTV. I just planted myself at the breakfast bar on a bar stool and proceed to something some call lunch and clicked on the TV. Meanwhile, in a suburb of Pennsylvania, her dysfunctional family is preparing to travel to New York. [29], 2003 comedy-drama film directed by Peter Hedges, This article is about the 2003 film. Written by Based on a novel by Jonathan Tropper. (2003). Pieces of April is about the little shifts of behavior and consciousness that signal an openness to personal transformation. Upon attempting to cook the Thanksgiving turkey, April discovers that her oven is broken, and solicits help from other people in her apartment building; she receives help, hindrance and indifference from the disparate group of residents, but eventually completes the meal. As April's family makes the road trip, their dysfunctional relationship with her is discussed. - weeeell, so much more than that, at times "lunch" had problem to find its way down as there was a big lump in my throat and my watery eyes glued on the TV set wondering what would happen next, and would it be good. The clues are few ... See full summary », A maniac butchers a fashion model on a Caribbean island and leaves the body to be eaten by rats. For the Three Dog Night song, see, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, "Sundance Report – United Artists Gets 'Pieces of April'; Also, War Protest, No Dance & Slamdunk Winn", "Film Review; Second Helpings Of Hollow Cheer", "Humantias shortlist includes Pianist and Antwone Fisher", "Together Again in the Dark: The 2003 Chicago International Film Festival", "Nominations Announced for the 10th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards", "2003 San Francisco Film Critics Circle Awrds", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pieces_of_April&oldid=1002699151, Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles with WorldCat-VIAF identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Special Jury Prize for Outstanding Dramatic Performance, This page was last edited on 25 January 2021, at 17:55. We knew no time for sadness. The film premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, and received mostly positive reviews. A young man suffers a life crisis as he approaches his wedding. As for the guests to her effort, a Thanks Giving dinner, You may understand them but you may also wonder about them. 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. [18], Patricia Clarkson received numerous best supporting actress nominations for her role, including at the 76th Academy Awards,[19] the 61st Golden Globe Awards,[20] the 10th Screen Actors Guild Awards. Pieces of April explores themes of 'racing against time', evidenced by Joy's cancer and that it is expected to be the last Thanksgiving with her alive. Jim remains positive, and Timmy takes photographs of their trip. 9 of 12 people found this review helpful. A fight ensues, ruining Bobby's suit jacket and leaving his face bloody. The rest of April's family later arrives, and all embrace her. It was featured on their 1972 album, Seven Separate Fools. Was this review helpful to you? Hedges was additionally inspired by a true story about a group of friends who had "borrowed" an apartment to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner. With which character do most identify? A wayward daughter invites her dying mother and the rest of her estranged family to her apartment for Thanksgiving dinner. And the love that we called ours. Hayes asked if he could fly to New York to audition, at which point Hedges informed him there was no need as he was already hired. Summaries. InDigEnt (Independent Digital Entertainment). Directed by (1) Writing credits (1) Cast (30) Produced by (10) Music by (1) Cinematography by (1) Film Editing by (1) Casting By (3) Production Design by (1) Art Direction by (2) Costume Design by (1) Makeup Department (6) Production Management (2) A full picture of April? Hedges instead asked Merritt to compose an original song to close the film. The new kid in Cradle Bay, Washington stumbles across something sinister about the town's method of transforming its unruly teens into upstanding citizens. OMG, as a retired person I can switch the TV on whenever I like and do so often at noon, but today I was not prepared for this! [13], One of the film's few less-favorable reviews came from Entertainment Weekly who gave it a 'C', calling it a "glib comedy" and adding, "Hedges shoves his characters into sitcom slots and seals them there. Filming was often challenging as the spaces to work in were small. PIECES OF APRIL is greater than the sum of its parts, and thus it was a crowd pleaser at the Sundance Film Festival in 2003. our unability to express the love buried somewhere inside ourselves, underneath long-lasting resentment and different values. Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Although estranged from her parents, Jim and Joy, and younger siblings Beth and Timmy, she opts to invite them for Thanksgiving dinner. Pieces of April Lyrics. There is something absolutely amazing about "Pieces of April", the story of a 21-year old family black sheep who has invited her suburban family up to New York for a … And will she succeed? [5], Pieces of April debuted at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. April Burns, the eldest daughter in a highly dysfunctional family, lives in a small tenement apartment on the Lower East Side of Manhattan with her boyfriend Bobby. The film follows April (Holmes), as she attempts to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner for her estranged family. The true story of Richard Pimentel, a brilliant public speaker with a troubled past, who returns from Vietnam deafened, and finds a new purpose in his landmark efforts on the behalf of Americans with disabilities. His novel What's Eating Gilbert Grape was adapted into a critically acclaimed movie of the same title, which launched his film career. In an old school Las Vegas casino, its top gambling jinx breaks his curse when he falls in love, much to his boss' consternation. “Pieces of April” doesn’t cover new ground and the long time conflict between mother and daughter is all wrapped up perfunctorily and in a tidy package by the end of the film. [9], Elvis Mitchell of The New York Times called the film an "intelligent and touching farce" and added, "Mr. Hedges dances from one vignette to another with a mouthwatering finesse. [6] United Artists ended up securing the worldwide release rights from Cinetic Media in January 2003. After witnessing a confrontation between a mother and her young daughter in the diner's bathroom, Joy reconsiders. Derek Luke was the last person to audition for Bobby, and Hedges was so impressed with his performance he hired him immediately. The song was produced by Richard Podolor and arranged by Podolor and Three Dog Night. Pieces of April Synopsis: 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. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Pieces of April movie reviews & Metacritic score: Poignant and funny, Pieces of April is an up-close look at an extraordinary day in the life of the not-so-ordinary Burns family. Centering the word only brings up its three letter abbreviation to keep the month company. "Pieces of April", what kind of title is this, another tele movie to entertain my lunch for a few minutes? What's to blame? "Pieces of April" is a song written by Dave Loggins and performed by Three Dog Night. A wayward daughter invites her dying mother and the rest of her estranged family to her apartment for Thanksgiving dinner. Story 1: The Burns family is driving from the suburbs to New York to have Thanksgiving dinner with a troublesome daughter. On the other end I'm glad they did not as it was such a joy to see this without any expectations. Three Dog Night is an American rock band best known for their music from 1968 to 1975. The site's critical consensus reads, "Pieces of April transcends its small-scale setting and budget with endearing performances, playful humor, and genuine sweetness, resulting in a touching holiday treat. He recorded a #1 Country song as a duet with Anne Murray in 1984 calle… read more It is expected to be the last Thanksgiving for Joy, who is dying from breast cancer. Peter Hedges is an American novelist, screenwriter, and film director. Peter Hedges' "Pieces of April," this year's Thanksgiving movie, ends prematurely and has a side plot that's a distraction and a cheat, but it contains much good humor and works, anyway. 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