Happy Thanksgiving!

11/21/07

Rumor has it that many families (or parts of them, at any rate) gather around the television and watch football on Thanksgiving Day. This is not TVOR's thing. As far as she's concerned, there's only one reason to gather around the tube (other than the moon landing, or the last episode of Seinfeld), and that's to watch movies. Here are a few Thanksgiving treats--stories of families having a worse time than you are:

Hannah and Her Sisters
Written and directed by Woody Allen

This probably isn't the movie to watch if you're in too much of a turkey-induced stupor, but if you have any brain cells left, this excellent film is a great way to give them a little exercise and keep yourself well entertained. Hannah and her Sisters is the kind of Woody Allen film that people complain he doesn't make any more. The film begins and ends with Thanksgiving dinners, in keeping with our theme.

The Ice Storm
Directed by Ang Lee

This is another one that should not be watched if you're too comatose. It's a little more demanding, but well worth it if you're able to focus. The film is set during Thanksgiving 1973 in suburban Connecticut and you will spend much of the film being really glad you're not there. Neither the adults (including Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, and Joan Allen) nor the kids (Christina Ricci, Tobey Maguire, and Elijah Wood) are doing well. This is a powerful, well-done portrait of a place and an era.

Pieces of April
Written and directed by Peter Hedges

TVOR particularly likes this sweet yet not goopy film, which goes down a little easier than the first two. Katie Holmes, in her pre-Tom days, played the black sheep of a family who decides to host her estranged and dysfunctional family, complete with dying mother, ancient, senile grandmother, marginally coping father, and a couple of siblings, for Thanksgiving. Patricia Clarkson is particularly good as the mother, who is definitely not going gently into that good night.

Home for the Holidays
Directed by Jodie Foster

This film isn't the most original ever made, but a wonderful cast led by Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Anne Bancroft, and Charles Durning make it worth watching. Especially Robert Downey Jr.

All of the selections above are easy to prepare and have no calories.