Palo Alto is a 2013 independent drama film directed by Gia Coppola and based on a collection of short stories by James Franco. The film follows a group of teenagers living in the affluent city of Palo Alto, California, as they navigate the complexities of adolescence and the challenges of growing up.
The film stars Emma Roberts as April, a shy and introspective girl who develops a complicated relationship with her soccer coach (played by Franco). Meanwhile, Teddy (Jack Kilmer), a troubled teenager, falls for April’s best friend, Fred (Nat Wolff), who struggles with anger and impulsiveness.
Palo Alto received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the film’s realistic portrayal of teenage life and its strong performances, particularly by Roberts and Kilmer. However, others criticized the film for its lack of plot and character development, as well as its reliance on familiar tropes of the coming-of-age genre. Despite the mixed reception, Palo Alto is considered a promising debut for Gia Coppola and a notable entry in the genre of teenage drama films.
Duration: 100 min.
