Pieces of April

Director:
Peter Hedges

Cast: Katie Holmes, Derek Luke, Oliver Platt and Patricia Clarkson

Release: Nationally on March 4, 2004

Rated: M

Picking up the pieces

I can hear the groans now, as the words “dysfunctional family” loom large. Yes, the dysfunctional family movie has been done before and in many guises, but I don’t recall it ever being done quite the same way as Peter Hedges’ Pieces of April.

For a start, the presence of Hedges (writer of films like What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? and About a Boy) with writing as well as directing credits virtually guarantees it’s going to have a great script. What’s more surprising is his skill away from the word processor and in the director’s chair.

The story is effectively told in two “halves” if you like. In New York City, April (Katie Holmes) and her boyfriend Bobby (Derek Luke) are preparing a Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a special dinner because April and her family have been estranged for some time, and the meal is to be the olive branch. Meanwhile, April’s parents Jim (Oliver Platt) and Joy (Patricia Clarkson) have loaded up their other kids in the station wagon for the long journey to NYC. Joy – who has precious little joy in her life – is reluctant to go, but Jim manages to keep everyone pretty much on track.

The film follows each “half” of the story along the often rocky road to the much-anticipated dinner. Along the way, Hedges injects plenty of laughs, sarcasm and insight into the story, before an effective, if not entirely unexpected, ending. This is such a clever film, because it never panders to expectations. Hedges never lets his characters off lightly, even as he invites us to laugh at them; and when he decides to inject some venom into proceedings, he does so with undisguised glee. The marvellously developed characters are matched by a plot that highlights both the profound and the absurd in their situations.

For his directorial debut, Hedges chose to shoot on digital video, which maybe isn’t quite so polished as film, but lends an air of authenticity to the drama. He also demonstrates considerable skill as a director, weaving together the two “halves” of the film into a satisfying whole.

Katie Holmes has come of age since “Dawson’s Creek” in films like Wonder Boys. Here, there’s little trace of her TV character left as she dives into the role of the Doc-wearing, piercing-loving April. Although Holmes is good in the role though, the film is stolen by Patricia Clarkson with her Oscar-nominated turn as Joy. This is something of a change of pace for her too, with the embittered Joy bearing little resemblance to her sweet artist from The Station Agent. Here, she gets a chance to really show her chops, and doesn’t miss the opportunity.

With these two strong women holding court, the men have some difficulty breaking through. Oliver Platt though makes his mark as the long-suffering Jim, while Derek Luke is effective as Bobby (and gets one killer scene). Special mention should be made of Alison Pill and John Gallagher Jr as April’s siblings, and Sean Hayes who’s nicely acerbic as one of April’s neighbours.

Pieces of April is a fine example of intimate, interesting filmmaking. Peter Hedges’ stocks have no doubt gone up considerably as a result of this film, not to mention those of Holmes and Clarkson. This is one movie that isn’t afraid to be daring, to challenge its audience and yet to still wear its heart on its sleeve.

David Edwards

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