Synopses & Reviews
Written over a period of three years, picked up and shut down three times before it was finally "greenlit,"
Pieces of April became a Sundance Film Festival 2003 favorite, capturing the attention of critics, festival moviegoers, and a record sale to distributor United Artists. Marking the directorial debut of Oscar-nominated screenwriter and novelist Peter Hedges, the movie stars Katie Holmes, Patricia Clarkson, and Derek Luke, with Sean Hayes and Oliver Platt.
A poignant and funny film about a day in the life of a family trying to create new memories and make peace with the old, the acclaimed, independent film was shot in 16 days, mainly in New York City's Lower East Side. The story centers on 21-year-old April Burns, who has never been on good terms with her mother and is convinced by her boyfriend to host the family Thanksgiving dinner. While April discovers her oven is broken and seeks neighbors to help, the Burns family drives toward the city recounting April's failures. Although his wife persists in undermining his plans, April's father is determined to create a bonding experience for the family, including April's perfect-daughter sister, younger brother, and forgetful grandmother.
In the esteemed Newmarket Shooting Script Series format, Hedges includes an introduction and scene notes, written exclusively for this edition, as well as the complete shooting script, his original opening of the screenplay, stills, and cast and crew credits. Also featured is an insightful conversation with Hedges on his acting, playwriting, and film career.
Review
"A family reunion comedy that sparkles with acerbic wit, original characters and genuine heart." David Rooney, Variety
Review
"Beautifully played by a pitch-perfect cast and written with grace and invention." Newsweek.com
Review
"This one is a honey." Roger Ebert, The Chicago Sun-Times
Synopsis
The biggest sale of the Sundance Film Festival, now coming from United Artists in September, starring Katie Holmes, Patricia Clarkson, Oliver Platt and Derek Luke marking the directorial debut of Oscar-nominated screenwriter and novelist Peter Hedges (
About a Boy,
What's Eating Gilbert Grape,
Map of the World).
Including an original introduction and scene notes written especially for this edition, here is the complete shooting script of the poignant and funny film about a day in the life of a family trying to create new memories and make peace with the old. Set in New York City's Lower East Side on Thanksgiving Day, 21-year-old April Burns (Katie Holmes), who has never been on good terms with her mother (Patricia Clarkson), is convinced by her boyfriend (Derek Luke) to host the family dinner. While April discovers her oven is broken and seeks neighbors to help, the Burns family drives toward the city recounting April's failures. As his wife persists in undermining his plans, April's father (Oliver Platt) is determined to create an experience that will become a nice memory for the family, including April's perfect-daughter sister, younger brother, and forgetful grandmother.
About the Author
Peter Hedges, director, screenwriter, playwright, and novelist, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for About a Boy. Previously, he adapted A Map of the World and wrote the screenplay based on his first novel, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, and wrote a second novel, An Ocean in Iowa. A graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts as well as a playwright (Baby Anger, Good as New, Imagining Brad), Hedges lives in New York with his wife and two children.
Table of Contents
Introduction by Peter Hedges vii
The Shooting Script 1
Scene Notes 93
Addendum: The Original Opening 105
Stills 119
Afterword: Talking with Peter Hedges 131
Cast and Crew Credits 144
About the Author 148