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Palo Alto
2014 100 min United States of America R 16+
★6.5
Drama
Director: Gia Coppola
🎭 Based on
«Palo Alto»
byJames Franco
Trailers
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Description
A lack of parental guidance encourages teens in an affluent California town to rebel with substance abuse and casual sex.
Budget:
$1M
US Gross:
$767,732
Worldwide:
$919,591
Starring
Emma Roberts
Actor
James Franco
Actor
Jack Kilmer
Actor
Awards
4 nominations
Key opinion
Palo Alto is a moody, atmospheric coming-of-age drama that divides viewers between those who appreciate its meditative, sensory experience and those who find its narrative derivative and hollow. While the film is praised for its evocative aesthetic and soundtrack, many critics and viewers feel the screenplay lacks substance and struggles to break new ground within the teen-drama genre.
| Cinematography | The film utilizes atmospheric cinematography, lighting, and a melancholic score to create a hypnotic, trance-like aesthetic. | |
| Acting | Nate Wolfe delivers a standout, charismatic performance as the chaotic and philosophical character Fred. | |
| Originality | The narrative feels unoriginal and derivative, recycling common tropes found in numerous other coming-of-age films. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay lacks a compelling, focused narrative arc, leaving the film feeling aimless and flat to many viewers. | |
| Acting | Opinions on the lead performances are polarized; some find the cast’s 'bland' and repetitive acting fitting for the characters' apathy, while others see it as a lack of talent. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing is a point of contention; its slow, contemplative tempo provides an immersive experience for some, but feels stagnant or boring to those seeking a more traditional plot. |