Oliver Platt as Jim Burns, April's father, who has real hope that April and the rest of the family can have a nice Thanksgiving dinner together. Patricia Clarkson as Joy Burns, April's mom, who is very sick with breast cancer, who is very hesitant to go to April's home because she has been so angry at her for so long. Alison Pill as Beth Burns, April's younger sister, who feels the family should not even try to have dinner with April, since that would be too stressful for her mom.