re:mote voices

Title: Pieces Of April
Cast: Katie Holmes, Patricia Clarkson, Oliver Plat, Derek Luke, Alice Drummond
Director: Peter Hedges

Katie Holmes’ big screen forays have been hit and miss, being less than successful on the whole at distancing herself from the TV role of Dawson’s Creek. The Gift and Disturbing Behaviour being quite missable, while The Wonder Boys was a more memorable outing. Pieces Of April should improve her score sheet, at least if it were to get more than the token gesture run it got here.

Holmes plays the titular April, the black sheep of the family, desperately trying to take what might be her last chance to reconcile differences with her dying mother. Shot in digital, Pieces Of April has that raw and gritty feel that it provides. Combined with the heady emotions and thanksgiving theme it could easily be dismissed as being too schmaltzy. However, Pieces Of April is saved by the strong performances, and the construction of a classically styled farce. With a funny and memorable film as result.

April live in the city and is planning to prepare the ultimate thanksgiving meal. This is contrasted by the journey of her family to the city for the meal. Switching back and forth, we are given the profile of April as trouble maker and loser – the family certain that she will screw this meal up, just as she always has. Prophetic words as events conspire against April, her cooker breaking down, forcing her to throw herself on the mercy of neighbours she has never met. Clearly through this the director attempts to convey the ideas of this particularly American holiday, but along the way he succeeds in providing comedic results.