FILM-FORWARD.COMReviews of Recent Independent, Foreign, & Documentary Films in Theaters and DVD/Home Video
PIECES OF APRIL
April Burns (Holmes) is the self-described first pancake, “the one you’re suppose to
throw out.” To her ailing mother, the ironically named Joy, her eldest daughter is her
cancer. For the first time since leaving her white-bread suburban family, April has invited
them for Thanksgiving in her run-down Lower East Side apartment, which she shares
with her black boyfriend Bobby (Luke). April’s a rebel, after all she wears combat boots
and black nail polish. And never having used her oven, she discovers that it doesn’t work
just as her family hits the road. Calling out and knocking on her neighbors’ doors, her
search for an available oven is humorous, but Holmes’s quest lacks urgency. This is
symptomatic of her performance. Holmes doesn’t so much react as put on an appropriate
expression, whether a door is being slammed in her face or she’s confronting a lonely
neighbor (Sean Hayes) who has kidnapped her turkey. His is a sitcom performance set
adrift, and together their scenes reveal a lack of rehearsal. However, John Gallagher, Jr.
and Alison Pill - playing her younger brother and sister, Timmy and Beth - are both living
in their character’s skin. Pill is especially endearing and over the top as an ingratiating
daughter competing for her parents’ affection. And Clarkson, with great timing, brings
out Joy’s dark sense of humor. As in his screenplay of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
(based on his novel), first time director Hedges’ writing depicts the nuances and
shifting alliances within a family. However, this uneven cast doesn’t completely fulfill the
potential of his sharp and perceptive script. KT
DVD Extras: Commentary with Hedges is extremely valuable, as he describes his original intent of his
screenplay - which can get somewhat lost in the overall effect of the film - as well as his directorial decisions.
However, Hedges performs the entire feature-length discussion with
little or no inflection in his voice, making it somewhat difficult to listen. "All the Pieces
Together" is worthwhile; we are shown stills (Timmy's photography, referred to in the
film) juxtaposed with film clips and illuminatng interviews with the cast. Lisette Johnson
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