Pieces of April
Review by Clint Morris
 Katie
Holmes has obviously got her head screwed on properly.
After starring on the teen soap "Dawson’s Creek"
for forever and a day, it’d be easy for her to simply
jump straight into film projects that don’t stray too
far from the Leary household.
There are a million teenage horror clones out there just
begging for another pin-up lass to headline.
But in fact, most of the cast of the defunct series –
including Michelle Williams, James Van Der Beek and Joshua
Jackson – have chosen their consequential film roles
quite carefully.
Holmes' latest venture is the indy film, Pieces of April
– and considering her next role looks set to be the love
interest in the super-budgeted fifth Batman blockbuster,
she's nothing if but versatile.
It’s Thanksgiving and punkish-looking April [Holmes]
has decided to invite her estranged family to her place for
thanksgiving for once. But aside from trying to decide where
everyone’s going to fit in her and her boyfriend Bobby’s
[Derek Luke] tiny Manhattan apartment, there’s the little
problem of the stove not working.
Hence, no Turkey.
As April scuttles up and down the stairs of her apartment
building pleading folks to let her use their oven, her mixed-up
family – who seem to think April as the ‘rotten
apple’ of their otherwise seemingly normal-looking clan
– reluctantly make the drive from Pennsylvania to the
City.
What could’ve easily been written as a nutty comedy
in the vein of, say, National Lampoon’s Christmas
Vacation or Home for the Holidays, is handled rather
realistically by director Peter Hedges.
Granted, there’s not much happening right throughout,
but it’s just how bona fide the characters are that makes
the film play by a long chalk, credibly.
With its unorthodox soundtrack, non-conventional characters,
eccentric colour template and a stellar turn by the obviously
capable Katie Holmes – looking about as far removed from
girl-next-door type Joey Potter as possible – Pieces
of April is an intriguing slice-of-life drama that, whilst
not a smashing smack out of the ballpark, still makes you
question the soundness of your own personal relationships
with your family.
3 out of 5
Pieces of April
Australian release: Thursday March 4th
Cast: Katie Holmes, Derek Luke, Patricia Clarkson, Sean Hayes,
Oliver Platt.
Director: Peter Hedges.
Website: Click
here.
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