Pieces of April (2003)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Peter Hedges

Writer (WGA):

Peter Hedges (written by)

Release Date:

19 February 2004 (Germany)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

She's the one in every family.

Plot:

A wayward daughter invites her dying mother and the rest of her estranged family to her apartment for Thanksgiving dinner.

Plot Keywords:

Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Dinner | Apartment | Dysfunctional Family | Neighbor

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 14 wins & 16 nominations

Cast

Katie Holmes	...	April Burns
Derek Luke	...	Bobby
Oliver Platt	...	Jim Burns
Alison Pill	...	Beth Burns
John Gallagher Jr.	...	Timmy Burns
Patricia Clarkson	...	Joy Burns
Alice Drummond	...	Grandma Dottie
Vitali Baganov	...	Half Asleep Man
Lillias White	...	Evette
Isiah Whitlock Jr.	...	Eugene
Adrian Martinez	...	Man in Mohair Sweater
Susan Bruce	...	Tish
Jamari Richardson	...	Boy on Bicycle
Leila Danette	...	Woman in Stairwell
Stephen Chen	...	Lee Loung Tan
Sally Leung Bayer	...	Lee Quong Tan
Sean Hayes	...	Wayne
Sisqó	...	Latrell (as SisQo)
Marcus Lovett	...	Parade Announcer
Jack Chen	...	Lee Quong
Jacqueline Dai	...	Lee Lang
Rosa Luo	...	Lee Wai Yam
Birdie M. Hale	...	Woman outside Bodega
Armando Riesco	...	Tyrone
Christine Todino	...	Waitress
Anney Giobbe	...	Young Mother
Elizabeth Douglass	...	Young Girl
Rusty De Wees	...	Joy's Biker Guy (as Rusty DeWees)
Vincent Roselli	...	Timmy's Biker Guy
Ficchi	...	Bernadette the Dog

Directed by
Peter Hedges

Writing credits (WGA)
Peter Hedges		(written by)

Produced by
Alexis Alexanian	....	producer
Lucy Barzun Donnelly	....	co-producer (as Lucy Barzun)
Dianne Dreyer	....	associate producer
Caroline Kaplan	....	executive producer
John S. Lyons	....	producer (as John Lyons)
Jonathan Sehring	....	executive producer
John Sloss	....	executive producer
Lucille Smith	....	co-producer (as Lucille Masone Smith)
Gary Winick	....	producer
Holly Becker	....	supervising producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Stephin Merritt

Cinematography by
Tami Reiker		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Mark Livolsi

Casting by
Will Cantler
Bernard Telsey
David Vaccari

Production Design by
Rick Butler

Art Direction by
Shannon Robert Bowen
Aleta Shaffer

Costume Design by
Laura Cunningham		(as Laura Bauer)

Makeup Department
Julie Delaney	....	hair department head
Mike Potter	....	makeup department head
Mike Potter	....	wig maker
HolliPops Smith	....	hair department head
Joanna Stewart	....	key makeup artist (as Joanna J. Stewart)

Production Management
Jake Abraham	....	post-production supervisor
Lucille Smith	....	unit production manager (as Lucille Masone Smith)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Vebe Borge	....	first assistant director
Augie Carton	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Betsy Baker	....	set dresser
Jack Marcus Brodsky	....	properties and furniture courtesy of
Steph Brynner	....	assistant art director
Devin Butler	....	scenic artist
Denise Carbonelle	....	sculpture: April's apartment courtesy of
Carole Hedges	....	ceramic turkeys courtesy of
Leo Holder	....	graphic artist
Shane Klein	....	on-set dresser
Tim Okamura	....	paintings: April's apartment courtesy of (as Tim C. Okamura)
Tim Okamura	....	scenic artist (as Tim C. Okamura)
Christina Polumbo	....	scenic artist
James Simak	....	art department assistant (as Jim Simak)

Sound Department
Robert Fernandez	....	sound re-recording mixer
Mariusz Glabinski	....	post-production sound services: 701 Sound
Piotr Glabinski	....	post-production sound services: 701 Sound
Marlena Grzaslewicz	....	post-production sound services: 701 Sound
Bryant Musgrove	....	boom operator
Aaron J. Rudelson	....	production sound mixer (as Aaron Rudelson)
Steve F.B. Smith	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby
Ira Spiegel	....	post-production sound services: 701 Sound
Chad Birmingham	....	assistant sound editor (uncredited)
Leslie Bloom	....	foley artist (uncredited)
Nancy Cabrera	....	foley artist (uncredited)
Mariusz Glabinski	....	sound effects editor (uncredited)
Piotr Glabinski	....	sound editor (uncredited)
Marlena Grzaslewicz	....	adr editor (uncredited)
Marlena Grzaslewicz	....	dialogue editor (uncredited)
Dan Korintus	....	dialogue editor (uncredited)
Matthew McKenzie	....	adr recordist: Toronto (uncredited)
Colin McLellan	....	adr recordist (uncredited)
Eric Rolnick	....	foley mixer (uncredited)
Ira Spiegel	....	sound effects editor (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Cat Crosby	....	key grip
Hardwick Johnson	....	thanks: Camera Service Center (as Hardwrick Johnson)
Sam Levy	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Teddy Maki	....	still photographer
Stephen Mann	....	thanks: action camera cars
Nathaniel Miller	....	first assistant camera
Kate Phelan	....	gaffer
Charlie Tammaro	....	thanks: Camera Service Center
Jason Vandermer	....	second assistant camera
Graham Willoughby	....	gaffer
Lou Massa	....	co-key grip (uncredited)

Casting Department
Jaclyn Brodsky	....	casting associate
Craig Burns	....	casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Amy R. Burt	....	wardrobe supervisor (as Amy Burt)
Bobby Frederick Tilley	....	assistant costume designer (as Bobby Tilley)

Editorial Department
Rachel Biles	....	associate editor
Milan Boncich	....	colorist
Emily Gardiner	....	post-production coordinator
Carlos Rodriguez	....	colorist
Michael Hatzer	....	color timer (uncredited)

Music Department
Linda Cohen	....	music supervisor
Alison LaCourse	....	music editor
Alex Steyermark	....	executive music producer

Other crew
Bettina Bilger	....	intern
Brian Brown	....	caterer: Shooting Stars Cattering
Jeffrey A. Brown	....	location manager (as Jeff Brown)
Lisa Brown	....	caterer: Shooting Stars Cattering
Chika Chukudebelu	....	intern (as Chika I. Chukudebelu)
Wendy Cohen	....	production resources
Mara Hade Connolly	....	assistant production accountant (as Mara Connolly)
Adrian Correia	....	set production assistant
Dianne Dreyer	....	script supervisor
Jacqueline Eckhouse	....	production legal: Sloss Law Office (as Jacqueline Eckhouse Esq.)
Kerin Ferallo	....	production coordinator
Peter Friedlander	....	assistant: John Lyons
Jennifer Gaylord	....	production legal: Sloss Law Office (as Jennifer Gaylord Esq.)
Dave Hall	....	location assistant
Emily Hart	....	intern
Sebastian Ischer	....	intern
Richard S. Kaplinski	....	intern
Marion Koh	....	intern
Matt Longwell	....	assistant location manager (as Matthew Longwell)
Berndt Mader	....	office production assistant (as R. Berndt Mader)
Maria Maggenti	....	dog supplier: Ficchi
Kevin McGill	....	caterer: Shooting Stars Cattering
Karrie Myers	....	intern
Josh Newport	....	location assistant
David Pfluger	....	tape to film shooting
Thomas R. Polleri	....	location scout (as Tom Polleri)
Paul Polow	....	set production assistant
Taylor Roe	....	intern
Thomas Roughan	....	set production assistant (as Thomas 'Bravo' Roughan)
Jonathan Roumie	....	location consultant
Brian Sachson	....	intern
Ruedi Schick	....	tape-to-film supervisor
Beth M. Schniebolk	....	assistant production coordinator
Mandy Tagger	....	production coordinator: InDiGent
Adele Thaxton	....	intern
Matilde Valera	....	production accountant

Thanks
Dr. Steve Abraham	....	special thanks
Gary Baker	....	special thanks
Chris Barra	....	thanks: Xeno Lights
Susan Batten	....	special thanks
Kamau Benjamin	....	special thanks
Dr. Carl Berg	....	special thanks
Merri Biechler	....	special thanks
Jane P. Brawley	....	thanks: deputy commissioner, New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting
Stephen F. Breimer	....	special thanks
Stephanie Broadnax	....	thanks: The Palisade Interstate Park Commission, Bear Mountain, New York
Joannie Burstein	....	special thanks
Diana Burton	....	special thanks
Niamh Butler	....	special thanks
Joseph Calritos	....	special thanks
Andrew Cathcart	....	thanks: Meow Mix, New York City
Justin Christopher	....	special thanks
Ana Cintron	....	special thanks
Myfa Cirinna	....	thanks: Entertainment Partners Inc.
Vin Crapanzano	....	thanks: St. Thomas Aquinas College
Tomas Crespo	....	thanks: Organic and Natural Food Market
Elaine Crowley	....	thanks: New York City Parks
Joe Dapello	....	special thanks
Chris Delosangeles	....	special thanks
Steve Dontanville	....	special thanks
Berrain Eno	....	thanks: Arthur's Dress Shop
Mary Clare Evans	....	special thanks
Anthony Famigietti	....	special thanks
Brian Fiarello	....	thanks: Krispy Creme of East Meadow, New York
Van Fleet	....	thanks: Arthur's Dress Shop
Marc H. Glick	....	special thanks
Wendy Goidell	....	special thanks
Claudia Gonson	....	special thanks
Kenny Goodman	....	special thanks
Richard Greenberg	....	special thanks
Desmond Guthrie	....	special thanks
Frankie Hailey	....	thanks: The Salvation Army
Carole Hedges	....	in memory of
Laurel Hedges	....	special thanks
Lucas Hedges	....	special thanks
Rev. Robert B. Hedges	....	special thanks
Simon Hedges	....	special thanks
Karl Heiselman	....	special thanks
Belinda Houchens	....	thanks: Kings Korner Gifts Scottsburg, Indiana
Randy Johnson	....	thanks: Randy's Garage
Susan King	....	special thanks
Peter Krimitsos	....	thanks: Blauvelt Coach Diner
Scott Laule	....	special thanks
Michael Leslie	....	special thanks
Jill Lichtig	....	special thanks
Rich Lichtig	....	special thanks
Ken Lipper	....	special thanks
Austin Lopez	....	special thanks
Derrick Loris	....	special thanks
Tod A. Maitland	....	special thanks
Jaime Marks	....	thanks: The Puck Building
Ryan McMahon	....	special thanks
Douglas McWilliams	....	special thanks
Lisa McWilliams	....	special thanks
Megan McWilliams	....	special thanks
Tory Metzger	....	special thanks
Ruth Moore	....	special thanks
Rev. Harold W. Morris Sr.	....	thanks: Willis Avenue United Methodist Church
Bruce Page	....	thanks: Greenbush Presbyterian Church
Mary-Louise Parker	....	special thanks
Tim Patmont	....	thanks: Patmont Motor Works
Adrienne Patsos	....	thanks: Barbizon Lighting Company
Michael Peretzian	....	special thanks
Scott H. Ramsey	....	thanks: Xeno Lights (as Scott Ramsey)
Bob Ricca	....	special thanks
Ann Roth	....	special thanks
Carin Sage	....	special thanks
Kirsten Schatz	....	special thanks
Ira Schreck	....	special thanks
Larry Schwartz	....	thanks: The Puck Building
Eric Scott	....	special thanks
Mike Scott	....	special thanks
Pat Scott	....	thanks: commissioner, New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting (as Patricia Reed Scott)
Major Lawrence Shaffer	....	thanks: The Salvation Army
Raymond Ted Shelton	....	special thanks (as Raymond T. Shelton)
Eric Shonz	....	thanks: Entertainment Partners Inc.
David Shuchat	....	special thanks
Sydney Sidner	....	special thanks
Alin Splichel	....	special thanks
Erwin Stoff	....	special thanks
John A. Narcissa Titman	....	special thanks
Leslie Topping	....	special thanks
Brooke Webster	....	thanks: Meow Mix, New York City
Sally Willcox	....	special thanks
Jim Zachar	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• United Artists (presents)
• IFC Productions (presents)
• InDigEnt (Independent Digital Entertainment)
• Kalkaska Productions (in association with)
• Well Done Productions (copyright owners)

Distributors

• United Artists (2003) (USA) (all media)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corporation (MGM) (2003) (USA) (theatrical) (as MGM Distribution Co.)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Bodega Films (2005) (France) (theatrical)
• Compañía General de la Imagen (CGI) (2004) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Frenetic Films (2004) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• GAGA Communications (2004) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Gateno Films (2004) (Peru) (theatrical)
• Intercontinetial Films (2004) (Hong Kong) (theatrical)
• Solo Film Verleih (2004) (Germany) (theatrical)
• GAGA (2003) (Japan) (all media)
• Gativideo (2005) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Gativideo (2005) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Impuls Home Entertainment (2004) (Switzerland) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• Mediafilm (2004) (Italy) (all media)
• Paradiso Home Entertainment (Netherlands)
• Premium Cine (Spain)

Other Companies

• 280: design  titles
• 701 Sound  post-production sound services
• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  production insurance (as AON/Albert G. Ruben)
• Action Camera Cars  thanks
• Amana  thanks
• Aperture Magazine  thanks
• Arthur's Dress Shop  thanks
• Barbizon Lighting Company  thanks
• Blauvelt Coach Diner  thanks
• Bumble & Bumble  thanks
• Butterball Turkeys  thanks
• CSC  lighting supplied by
• Camera Service Center  thanks
• Cinetic Media  financing and distribution advisory services
• Coca-Cola Company, The  thanks
• Color Wheel  thanks
• Entertainment Partners  payroll services
• Entertainment Partners  thanks
• Greenbush Presbyterian Church  thanks
• Kiehl's Since 1851  thanks (as Kiehl's)
• Kings Korner Gifts Scottsburg, Indiana  thanks
• Kodak  thanks
• Krispy Kreme of East Meadow, New York  thanks
• MAC Cosmetics  makeup provided by
• Magic Lantern  public relations
• Meow Mix  thanks
• Metro Concepts Music  thanks
• Movie Time Cars  thanks
• Moving Images Inc.  color correction
• New Jersey Film Commission  thanks
• New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theater & Broadcasting, The  thanks
• New York City Parks Department  thanks (as NYC Parks)
• Nonesuch Records  soundtrack published by (uncredited)
• Notre Dame Church  thanks
• Ocean Spray Company  thanks
• Oddball Film and Video  footage: Chinese Dance television footage courtesy of
• Orbit Digital  avid services provided by
• Organic and Natural Food Market  thanks
• Palisades Interstate Park Commission, The, Bear Mountain, New York  thanks
• Patmont Motor Works  thanks
• Puck Building, The  thanks
• Randy's Garage  thanks
• Salvation Army  thanks
• Screen Actors Guild (SAG)  thanks
• Shooting Stars Catering  catering
• Sloss Law Office  production legal
• Sound One Corporation  adr
• Sound One Corporation  post-production sound mixing
• St. Thomas Aquinas College  thanks
• Suffolk Realty Corporation  thanks
• Swiss Effects  tape to film transfer
• Town of Orangetown, New York  thanks
• Township of West Caldwell, New Jersey  thanks
• Willis Avenue United Methodist Church  thanks
• Xeno Lights  thanks (as Xeno Lights)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language, sensuality, drug content and images of nudity.

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Mandarin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M (cable rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-7 | Germany:6 | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Singapore:NC-16 (original rating) | UK:12A | USA:PG-13 | Portugal:M/12 | Chile:14

Filming Locations:

Bear Mountain, New York, USA

Company:

United Artists

Trivia:

The logo on Bobby's t-shirt is that of the German army (Bundeswehr).

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: The camera Timmy is using is a modern Nikon autofocus SLR which has an electrically controlled self-timer that doesn't make any noise during operation. When April's mother, dad, grandmother and sister stop at the Christmas shop and at the very end of the movie the sound of an old manual self-timer is inserted in the sound track.

Quotes:

April Burns: Well, the cranberries were easy. I just had to open the can.
Eugene: [needing support from his wife] Evette?
April Burns: [sensing Eugene's outrage] What? Oh, come on. Everyone likes it from the can.
Eugene: No one likes it from the can.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Ego Trip's Race-O-Rama (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

The Well Tempered Guitar

Outstanding

From the initial scene of the ordeal of getting April up in the morning to the final shots, this was one of the most enjoyable movies I've seen in a long time. And it's enjoyable on many different levels -- it's funny, charming, weird, intelligent, and it has a real honest heart to it that isn't nearly sentimental or gushing. The psychological depth of this movie is astounding; and the characters, though there are many of them, are well realized. It is very clear that this film was made with a lot of care and compassion. With the possible exception of Wayne (overdone by a miscast Sean Hayes, reminiscent of the cringe-inducing Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany's), you felt real emotion from every character. Katie Holmes is great as the disaffected daughter and Patricia Clarkson is just fantastic in a very complicated role. Well made and well acted. Highly recommended.