few movies actually have an effect on me emtionally. usually i’m just a passive movie watcher who usually doesn’t allow myself to get too involved with what’s happening on the the screen.
to put it simply, i have never cried at the end of a movie.
that was until i saw big fish. that movie is something i call my “dad” movie. the ending just made me think of what it would be like for me and my father. i completely broke down. the end of the royal tennenbaums gave me that feeling too just not as much big fish.
i’ve been in search of my “mom” movie and feel that i’ve found it in pieces of april.
the movie revolves around an estranged daughter named april (katie holmes) who is currently living in new york city and spending the entire day cooking thanksgiving dinner for her mother, joy, (patricia clarkson) who is dying of cancer.
they haven’t talked in years and all joy can remember are the bad times. the family is really hesitant about going. the other daughter, beth (allison burns), does everything in her power to try and talk her mother out of going.
it could possibly be joy’s last thanksgiving so you get the feeling that she wants to be there.
the thing about this whole story is that i could see myself cooking some sort of big dinner for my mother if the time ever comes that she becomes sick or, god forbidden, dying.
even though i didn’t cry at the end of this movie, i did feel compelled to write something about it. if you love your mother or haven’t talked to her in a while, you may want to watch this movie and then call her afterward.
PIECES OF APRIL (3/27/04) – An entertaining movie about families and thansgiving. It exhibits good writing and strong acting. In my mind, however, it seemed a bit melodramatic and the ending was a disappointment. This is a short movie and there was plenty more time to capitalize on the excellent acting by showing the interaction of the family together.
ok… so… what’s your point?