Pieces of April

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Pieces of April

PG-13

2003

1h 21m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

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144 Reviews

73%

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25,000+ Ratings

Quirky and rebellious April Burns (Katie Holmes) lives with her boyfriend in a low-rent New York City apartment miles away from her emotionally distant family. But when she discovers that her mother (Patricia Clarkson) has a fatal form of breast cancer, she invites the clan to her place for Thanksgiving. While her father (Oliver Platt) struggles to drive her family into the city, April -- an inexperienced cook -- runs into kitchen trouble and must ask a neighbor (Sean Hayes) for help.

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Critics Consensus

Pieces of April transcends its small-scale setting and budget with endearing performances, playful humor, and genuine sweetness, resulting in a touching holiday treat.

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Sheila Norman-Culp

Associated Press

Nov 9, 2018

Thanksgiving just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a dysfunctional family reunion, but writer-director Peter Hedges comes up with an original take on the holiday disaster theme in the quiet gem Pieces of April.

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Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

Dec 20, 2017

It's interesting to see [Katie] Holmes in something like this, which gives an edge to her usual cute and cloying persona.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 27, 2010

4/5

Thought-provoking, engaging; mid-teens and older.

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Michael Cuby

them.

Sep 28, 2022

A classic dysfunctional family dramedy, Pieces of April is a deliberately intimate affair that works because of its small scope.

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Felicia Feaster

Creative Loafing

Jan 29, 2020

Pieces of April feels ready for the insertion of canned laughter and a sitcom slot in network prime-time.

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Ellie Lucas

The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)

Jun 5, 2019

3/4

A light, delicious confection that hits you like a bullet to the heart.

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Dec 31, 2025

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Meri S.

@mschroeder Dec 5, 2025

An ok Thanksgiving themed movie with a great cast. I was a little annoyed by some of the characters, but the ending was nice. I wouldn’t go out if my way to recommend this to a friend.

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Erik B

@Atma-X Dec 3, 2025

A little melodramatic, and maybe a bit unbelievable...but it's sweet and heartwarming, and a nice addition to the Thanksgiving repertoire.

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Clark T

@RT23422405 Nov 29, 2025

As far as I'm concerned, this is the only real Thanksgiving movie.

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Tao C

@wcxtao98 Nov 25, 2025

I thought it is a comedy. At the end it made me cry. What a wonderful movie.

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Horror fan 4

@Horrorfan4life Nov 20, 2025

Amazing performances and funny moments bring together this classic thanksgiving movie. Tim Treakle

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Peter Hedges

Director

Katie Holmes

April Burns

Patricia Clarkson

Joy Burns

Oliver Platt

Jim Burns

Derek Luke

Bobby

Alison Pill

Beth Burns

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Pieces of April: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Quirky and rebellious April Burns (Katie Holmes) lives with her boyfriend in a low-rent New York City apartment miles away from her emotionally distant family. But when she discovers that her mother (Patricia Clarkson) has a fatal form of breast cancer, she invites the clan to her place for Thanksgiving. While her father (Oliver Platt) struggles to drive her family into the city, April -- an inexperienced cook -- runs into kitchen trouble and must ask a neighbor (Sean Hayes) for help.

Director: Peter Hedges
Producer: John S. Lyons, Gary Winick, Alexis Alexanian, Holly Becker
Screenwriter: Peter Hedges
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: IFC Productions, InDiGent Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Images of Nudity|Drug Content|Language|Sensuality)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 17, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.4M
Runtime: 1h 21m
Sound Mix: Surround

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