Director Peter Hedges' debut feature, "Shards of April," is of great significance. He made a movie about family, a movie with a holiday theme, but it was heartfelt and strong. The overall effect of the film is great, and would have crumbled if it lacked the performance of Patricia Davies Clarkson. As a mother in the final stages of cancer, Tricia Clarkson puts on a delicate and moving performance
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The director makes a good point that no version is unique and that these rowdy members will never get each other's hearts, but that point is awkwardly transferred to the screen. It's important that the traces of these complex relationships are visible, and that these admirable actors can do it, but the content is scattered. So in the end, the film, like Turkey, was unsuccessful
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