Peter Hedges

[8] Katie Holmes and Patricia Clarkson lead an ensemble cast in this quaint but compelling drama/comedy about a ‘black sheep’ daughter (Holmes) who tries like Hell to host Thanksgiving dinner for her visiting family. Neither Holmes nor her estranged family really want to share the holiday together, except that the mother (Clarkson) is terminally ill — and this could very well be their last holiday …

[8] Writer/director Peter Hedges (Pieces of April, About a Boy) casts his son Lucas (Manchester by the Sea, Boy Erased) alongside Julia Roberts in this emotionally gut-wrenching story of a mother trying to keep the peace at home when her drug-addicted teen comes home for Christmas. Lucas plays the addict, whose been clean and sober for a few months leading up to the movie’s opening. …