The Dissection of Thanksgiving (2008) User Reviews

Poundcake takes top honors at 2009 Florida Film Festival.

[jeep21 · 8/10 · 6 April 2009]

Winner of BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY and AUDIENCE CHOICE awards at the 2009 Florida Film Festival in Orlando.

A dysfunctional family comedy with heart, it stars Academy Award nominee Kathleen Quinlan and Jay O. Sanders and takes place in Buffalo, N.Y., in the late '80s. On the night before Thanksgiving, Cliff and Carol Morgan gather their three grown children—Robby, a late-night radio DJ, his hypochondriac younger brother Charlie and their adopted sister Brooke—at their favorite Chinese restaurant, the Golden Buddha, to announce that, after 30 years, they'll be getting a divorce. Can they spend their last Thanksgiving together in a civilized manner?

A fiercely original script, written by actors Troy Hall and Kevin Logie (who portray the adult brothers), is the root of this dark, outrageous, hilarious exploration how one impending divorce can affect every element of family life. POUNDCAKE pushes the family reunion film into a hysterical, emotional free-fall. Director Rafael Monserrate lets the action play out like the finale of an insane symphony, controlling the underlying fever pitch with just the right amount of restraint. The performances of the ensemble cast help make this a mesmerizing, at times disturbing comedy.

NEXT STOP: 2009 Nashville Film Festival, April 16-23rd.

The 2009 Rome International Film Festival goes for Rafael Monserrate's "Poundcake"

[beingraf · 10/10 · 17 September 2009]

The independent film "Poundcake" by Rafael Monserrate won the top award for Narrative Feature at the 2009 Rome International Film Festival (RIFF). Starring Kathleen Quinlan and set in Buffalo, N.Y. in the late 80s. On the night before Thanksgiving, Cliff and Carol Morgan gather their three adult children at their favorite Chinese restaurant, the Golden Buddha, to announce that after 30 years, they will be getting a divorce. The news pushes the family reunion into a darkly comic, emotional free-fall.

RIFF presented 86 independent films this year.

The 2009 Rome Independent Film Festival Award winners:

Animation: El Salon Mexico | Paul Glickman

Documentary (International): Sled head (Canada) | David McIlvride

Documentary (US): Mythic Journeys | Steven and Whitney Boe

Experimental: cycle.break. | Stephanie Shadden

Narrative Feature: Poundcake | Rafael Monserrate

Narrative Short (International): Land Gewinnen (Germany) | Marc Brummund

Narrative Short (US): Half Kenneth | Ken Ochiai

Drop everything and see this.

[jdskelton · 10/10 · 13 September 2009]

I just last night saw this astounding film at the Rome International Film Festival. The creators of this film have balanced intelligent (and side splitting) humor with a complex, important and relevant dramatic message. That few film makers have found success in fusing these genres (apart from, perhaps, the Coen brothers, Charlie Kaufman) is a testimony to the difficulty of the task. Writers Troy Hall, Kevin Logie and director Rafael Monserrate prove with this film that they can weave comedy and drama, effortlessly. The result is both entertaining and profoundly compelling. The film also features unforgettable performances from its two writers, Kathleen Quinlan, Jay O. Sanders, Robert Bogue and the stunning Deshja Driggs. Make an effort to get yourself in front of a screen that has this movie playing on it. You'll thank yourself.

Must see!

[makaylablair · 10/10 · 12 October 2016]

The Dissection of Thanksgiving is a true masterpiece!

It exemplifies the hardship of family and love in the most comical way possible. The endless laughs throughout the theater reflected its side- splitting humor. But don't be fooled...there is more to this movie behind the laughs. It really gives the understanding that every family has its flaws and those flaws make them who they are. The Morgans tell it like it is no matter how much the truth hurts. They push each other (literally) to their limits.

WARNING: you will want to befriend the Morgan family after!

Would watch again!

Stylish, heart wrenching and Incredible

[ottawaybill · 10/10 · 25 August 2016]

This was such an incredible movie! I wish I could give it a better rating than a 10! This move strikes such a healthy balance of emotion, joy, humor and pain. It encapsulates the human journey in a way that is relatable and touching. The characters in this move feel like your best friends by the end of the film! The familiar subject matter of this film instantly strikes a cord deep within and forces you to evaluate how you would handle these feelings. It does all this while still finding a way to make you laugh, sometimes uncontrollably. The wave of nostalgia washes over you throughout the film and inserts you into a friend group/family that is so familiar to us all, the struggle to know one another and find happiness.

A film about family, love, dysfunction and loyalty

[Lupe50 · 10/10 · 13 October 2016]

This film follows the life of an American family whose members are going about their daily routines in pursuit of happiness and success. The story line resonated with me in that I was able to connect with each of the character's struggles, and relate to what families experience as they grow together. The film brilliantly displays a balance of emotion, drama and humor, with love and commitment serving as the glue to the family's desire to work through their turmoil.

The movie is hilarious, quirky, authentic and heart-warming! The music is perfectly suited to the era, the location and the family. You will ride the ups and downs with these lovable characters and leave the theater feeling warm, full of hope and ready for your own Thanksgiving celebration!

An absolute must see!