Pieces Of April (2003) 7/10

Starring : Katie Holmes, Patricia Clarkson, Derek Luke, Sean Hayes, Oliver Platt
Director : Peter Hedges
Running Time : 80 mins

Desperately trying to impress her family and prove their perceptions of her to be wrong, April Burns (Holmes) tries to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for the clan, but is faced with problems when the oven won't light. Meanwhile, as her family travel to the meal, they reveal that they are dreading trying to keep a smile on their face while they attempt to eat her cooking.

This is actually quite an interesting movie. There's practically no plot, but the performances more than make up for this. Katie Holmes is pretty good in this for a change - normally her performances are more subdues and don't really stand out - and Clarkson and Platt are wonderful as her parents. Well worth watching, but maybe not more than once.

You’ll like this if you liked : The Family Stone