Pieces of April: The Shooting Script

by Peter Hedges

The biggest sale of the Sundance Film Festival, now coming from United Artists in September 2003, starring Katie Holmes, Patricia Clarkson, Oliver Platt, and Derek Luke#151;IPieces of April/I marks the directorial debut of Oscar#174;-nominated screenwriter, playwright, and novelist Peter Hedges (IAbout a Boy, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, A Map of the World/I).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. 20 b/w photos. PBRBAbout the Author#58;/BBR#58; BPeter Hedges/B, director, screenwriter, playwright, and novelist, was nominated for an Academy Award#174; for Best Adapted Screenplay for IAbout a Boy/I. Previously, he adapted IA Map of the World/I and wrote the screenplay based on his first novel, IWhat's Eating Gilbert Grape/I and wrote a second novel, IAn Ocean in Iowa/I. A graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts as well as a playwright (IBaby Anger, Good as New, Imagining Brad/I), Hedges lives in New York, with his wife and two children.

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Peter Hedges is an American novelist, screenwriter, and film director. His novel What's Eating Gilbert Grape was adapted into a critically acclaimed movie of the same title, which launched his film career.

In 2002 he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for About a Boy. In the same year, he wrote and directed Pieces of April, starring Katie Holmes, which he dedicated to his mother.

Reviews

[Syd · Rating 4 out of 5]

i gotta call my mom

[Nora Winckler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think watching the movie may alter my opinion on this screenplay, but I wanted it to have more impact than it did. I think “Pieces of April” may be a bit too metaphorical for readers to understand through this screenplay.

[Darrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Katie Holmes doesn't really do it for me - saw the preview so many times that i say her mouthing her character's words as i read this

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Hedges commentary at the end of the book on his process of writing and directing.