Pieces of April 2003

April Burns, the eldest daughter of a deeply dysfunctional family, resides in a small tenement apartment on the Lower East Side of Manhattan alongside her boyfriend Bobby. Despite being estranged from her parents, Jim and Joy, as well as her younger siblings, Beth and Timmy, she makes the bold decision to invite them over for Thanksgiving dinner. This gathering holds profound significance as it is anticipated to be the final Thanksgiving for Joy, who is battling terminal breast cancer.

While April’s family embarks on a lengthy drive from their suburban home to New York City, April busies herself with preparing the holiday feast. In a twist of fate, her oven malfunctions just as she’s about to cook the turkey. Desperate to save the day, she turns to her neighbors for assistance. The eclectic mix of residents offers a combination of help, interference, and indifference, but ultimately, she triumphs and completes the meal.

As April’s family journeys toward her apartment, their challenging dynamics come to light during the trip. Beth makes no secret of her reluctance to visit April, while Joy harbors doubt about the dinner’s success. In contrast, Jim maintains an optimistic view, and Timmy captures their experience through photographs. Along the way, they must frequently stop to accommodate Joy’s condition.

Meanwhile, Bobby, after enduring a chaotic adventure to find a suitable suit for meeting April’s family, encounters Tyrone, April’s former boyfriend who is now a drug dealer. Following a violent altercation that leaves Bobby with a ruined suit and injuries, he returns to April’s apartment just as her family hesitates to step out of their car amid the neighborhood’s struggles. In a heart-wrenching moment, they choose to bypass visiting and instead opt for a meal at a diner, leaving April crushed upon hearing the news.

However, just when it seems all hope is lost, Joy witnesses a moment of confrontation between a mother and daughter in the diner’s restroom. This moment of clarity pushes her to reconsider, and she, alongside Timmy, convinces two motorcycle riders to take them back to April’s apartment. By this time, April has resolved to celebrate Thanksgiving with the residents who aided her in preparing the meal.

The emotional reunion between April and Joy is a highlight, beautifully captured by Timmy. As April’s family finally gathers in her apartment, they share heartfelt embraces, and together with the building residents, they create an unforgettably joyful celebration.