AnhartLinkin
This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.
Casey Duggan
It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny
Brennan Camacho
Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.
thezeal
I got really excited watching the trailer for this movie for a few reasons: Gia Coppola's cinematography, the sound track, and James Franco. I was not disappointing by any of these three, but was unfortunately disappointed with this movie as a whole . Many reviewers argue that the characters in Palo Alto are all stereotypes, but I disagree- I was glad I did not see any football players or cheerleaders that always find their way in every American high school movie. The characters were not one sided either. Take April- she could have been the stereotypical good girl but she wasn't: she didn't get perfect grades, she smoked while babysitting, etc. Gia Coppola showed the self-destruction that characterizes teenagers so well that it almost hit too close to home where it was more painful to watch than entertaining.The acting was convincing in this movie. Nat Wolff's performance especially stood out. The acting almost made up for the poor dialogue. I think the dialogue was the main reason people had trouble empathizing with the characters- although the Coppola's purpose was to try to show a more real image of teenagers, they just came off as shallow and stupid. I loved how visually stunning Palo Alto is, it stimulates nostalgia and gives off a dreamy feel. It fit perfectly with the soundtrack. My main complaint is how slow this movie is. It has no plot, and is just a bunch of intimate scenes of teenagers doing teenager things strung together. Overall: would not watch again, if it were not for the cinematography, I probably would not recommend.
gracemontez
It's been a long time since I watched movies and I have to say that this kind of movies has reminded me of the reason why I watch movies. The difference between books and movies is that books are so much easier; the reader could imagine and project anything they want from their own experiences onto the books. Movies, on the contrary, are often frowned upon because the screenplay is the director's vision, thus, there is much less left for fantasy for those dreamers who want to enjoy the movie in their own way. As a person getting out of high school, I fully relate to this. Even though I live in a remote part of Asia and could not experience such wild events as in the movies, somehow, I could understand the message. Despite a great many of their unreasonable actions that would seem unintelligible to older generations including self-destructive behaviors done out of self-hate, insecurities, they crave love and want to contribute something meaningful to their own life. Judging from their own circumstances, it was understandable that they were under too many pressures, both from within and without; hence, they couldn't realize what was wrong and what was right. By putting themselves out there, facing their problems, these youngsters have been courageously transforming every aspect of their life and as a result, become a better person. The process may take a long time and may not promise an easy route but I believe that with determination, these kids will succeed. Gia Coppola have done an amazing job in depicting what is happening with the young nowadays, striving to live in a world full of turmoil and struggling to find a purpose of their life.
r-pineiro24
I thought of writing an entire film review about teenagers, based on "Palo Alto," a "nepotic" film directed by granddaughter of Francis Ford Coppola and starring the son of the almost extinct Val Kilmer and a niece of Julia Roberts. I wanted to talk about the profound existential drama of adolescence and the post-war European communism during the sub-genus in the fifties, James Dean and Marlon Brando included. I wanted to comment on the 80 and the playful spirit of a world that was not going to nowhere, but survived. (Except films from Francis Ford Coppola, filled of that agonizing nature of the Cold War). I thought that this Palo Alto even serve to illustrate the times of nihilism exacerbated era of technology we live. He believed, by the way, in a kind of psychic return to the days of Nicholas Ray and troubled teens. But gentlemen, I confess: The little film of yore does not even to begin the warmest of the discussions.
eddie_baggins
As aimless as the teens it portrays, Palo Alto see's yet another Coppola enter into the movie making business, this time Gia, Francis's (The Godfather) granddaughter and Sophia's (Lost in Translation) niece who in adapting James Franco's collection of short stories of the same name has created an at brief times realistic and insightful look into modern day teenage hood yet stumbles in actually saying anything of merit in a tale that starts depressing and ends there to.Palo Alto clearly wants to be a showcase for the Los Angeles brackets of teenagers, the type that party first and study later and the type that have fun by chopping down trees with chainsaws late at night. Palo Alto actually feels like more of a fever dream of a cautionary tale or look into this life as to be honest it never really connects on a level that feels wholly realistic. There type of films work best when scenarios and characters feel real or relatable and while Palo Alto can for brief moments do this, a majority of situations and players either do things that feel utterly ridiculous (like a lot of teens do, just not to this level) or downright unbelievable. This would largely stem from the source novel from Franco, who seems to make his business in being weird/alternate but Coppola shows enough here to suggest that he could've done more to make the material better.What Coppola does succeed in is in her direction of her young cast, while supports Nat Wolff and Zoe Levin don't do a lot to suggest they've got a career ahead, with Wolff in particular an incredibly annoying presence (how his been cast in so many movies since this effort is beyond me), young leads Emma Roberts and son of Val, Jack Kilmer show a real talent in their field. Roberts has long been a talent to watch (and much more bearable than her relative Julia) and her portrayal of confused April is a great piece of work while Kilmer as similarly wondering Teddy suggests he may one day to achieve the success of his father, with hopefully his father's weight gaining fall. Author of the novel himself Mr. James Franco also makes an appearance in what is on face value an on screen version of himself as creepy older guy looking to gain a much younger girlfriend.There are some nice touches to this film by Coppola, a keen eye for a nice shot makes you think she has a career ahead of her and some great lead turns by Roberts and Kilmer, but nothing could help such a cold and un-relatable piece of work ever become anything more than acceptable. We've been blessed over the years to have countless and memorable entries into the young teen/coming of age drama catalogue and with Palo Alto you're much better off to find one of these, instead of watching this instantly disposable offering.2 Grand Theft Auto playing Val Kilmer's out of 5
