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So, Kong saw this year's only Thanksgiving film (that he knows of) Pieces of April and enjoyed it quite a lot.
The Plot: April (Katie Holmes) has invited her family to New York City for Thanksgiving dinner because she hasn't gotten along with them in the past and she would like to make amends before her mother dies from the late stages cancer. The film cuts between three concurrent stories. In one of them April has to find neighbors in her apartment to help her cook the meal becuase her oven has broken. In another April's boyfried , Bobby, has gone out to find a suit a pick up some last minute items for the dinner, and in aother April's family is making their trip to New York City from Pennsylvania.
The Good: Except for a fairly small part played by Sean Hayes the actors are all good. Particular credit must go to Patricia Clarkson who plays April's mother, but Katie Holmes, Oliver Platt, Derek Luke (you might remember him from Antwone Fisher) were all very good as well.
The story is small, but always engaging and sincere. A very earnest piece of work.
The Bad: Sean Hayes over plays his role as Wayne, one of April's neighbors. This was the only thing that made the movie feel written. He played the part like he was on a sitcom.
Final Verdict: Very good film. Great job for a first time director. The director also wrote the screenplay and has written a few other films; his most notable screenplays are About a Boy and What's Eating Gilbert Grape? If you like either of those two films Kong recommends Pieces of April. Kong doesn't think this is playing in many theaters however, so many of you might have to wait for the DVD release which will probably be quite a while from now, and by then you will probably have forgotten Kong's recommendation altogther.
The Plot: April (Katie Holmes) has invited her family to New York City for Thanksgiving dinner because she hasn't gotten along with them in the past and she would like to make amends before her mother dies from the late stages cancer. The film cuts between three concurrent stories. In one of them April has to find neighbors in her apartment to help her cook the meal becuase her oven has broken. In another April's boyfried , Bobby, has gone out to find a suit a pick up some last minute items for the dinner, and in aother April's family is making their trip to New York City from Pennsylvania.
The Good: Except for a fairly small part played by Sean Hayes the actors are all good. Particular credit must go to Patricia Clarkson who plays April's mother, but Katie Holmes, Oliver Platt, Derek Luke (you might remember him from Antwone Fisher) were all very good as well.
The story is small, but always engaging and sincere. A very earnest piece of work.
The Bad: Sean Hayes over plays his role as Wayne, one of April's neighbors. This was the only thing that made the movie feel written. He played the part like he was on a sitcom.
Final Verdict: Very good film. Great job for a first time director. The director also wrote the screenplay and has written a few other films; his most notable screenplays are About a Boy and What's Eating Gilbert Grape? If you like either of those two films Kong recommends Pieces of April. Kong doesn't think this is playing in many theaters however, so many of you might have to wait for the DVD release which will probably be quite a while from now, and by then you will probably have forgotten Kong's recommendation altogther.
