To be quite simple - the story is simple, but heartwarming and really makes you care about the characters from start to finish. April (played terrifically by Katie Holmes) is hosting a thanksgiving dinner which will most likely be the last one she will hold with her Mother and family due to her Mother's terminal cancer. They are driving to New York to see April while at the same time dreading the experience that will either distance April even more from her family or finally make some peace.
Katie Holmes gives a really good performance as the rebel girl who is trying to make some new changes in her life. What this story does is simply tell a story that we could all relate to on one of these special occasions - whether it be Christmas or a birthday. The fact that this is a low budget film with the quality of the film being reasonable, though not spectacular actually adds to the whole feel of it - it makes it more real.
What is also great is the supporting cast and characters who come into the whole drama. The black family who lives in the apartment block end up helping April when her oven breaks and the food preparation actually had me wanting to go buy a turkey and have a great feast. Most of all, Patricia Clarkson's performance is splendid and with all the great performances, you keep caring till the very end and rooting for the family to get together and to come to an understanding.
It's movies like these - which are so overlooked, which really should get more attention. Sometimes something simple can end up being one of the best movies you can see.
Katie Holmes gives a really good performance as the rebel girl who is trying to make some new changes in her life. What this story does is simply tell a story that we could all relate to on one of these special occasions - whether it be Christmas or a birthday. The fact that this is a low budget film with the quality of the film being reasonable, though not spectacular actually adds to the whole feel of it - it makes it more real.
What is also great is the supporting cast and characters who come into the whole drama. The black family who lives in the apartment block end up helping April when her oven breaks and the food preparation actually had me wanting to go buy a turkey and have a great feast. Most of all, Patricia Clarkson's performance is splendid and with all the great performances, you keep caring till the very end and rooting for the family to get together and to come to an understanding.
It's movies like these - which are so overlooked, which really should get more attention. Sometimes something simple can end up being one of the best movies you can see.