Palo Alto
Tribeca Film | Release Date: May 9, 2014
6.8
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 79 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
48
Mixed:
22
Negative:
9
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
LamontRaymondMay 11, 2014
At the outset of the film, I was highly fearful that the director would be satisfied to tread on well-worn territory, sticking to the same old cliches that every other teen movie trots out. (The party, "Never Have I Ever", Old dude wants toAt the outset of the film, I was highly fearful that the director would be satisfied to tread on well-worn territory, sticking to the same old cliches that every other teen movie trots out. (The party, "Never Have I Ever", Old dude wants to hook up with young girl). But something about the look of the shots, the soundtrack, and the fresh acting talent (especially Val Kilmer's kid as the lead actor) won me over. If you didn't want kids before, you won't want kids after seeing this film - but if you're a horny kid yourself? Check it out.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
HoonsagoMay 11, 2014
I wouldn't say the movie was boring, but it was definitely themeless, or at least seemed so to me. The characters were solid enough to lead the narrative, but the the story as a whole was quite disconnected.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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0
SmeeAug 8, 2014
you need special skill to make a unwatchable movie with Emma Roberts in,Eureka they just did it .
This is so boring and unbearable.Another proof that James franco not suited for lead actor role.
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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7
TVJerryMay 31, 2014
Based on short stories by James Franco, this film randomly follows 3 teens (Emma Roberts, Nat Wolff & Jack Kilmer) as they drink, smoke, have sex and wander thru their adolescence. The story is as aimless as their lives. There's no realBased on short stories by James Franco, this film randomly follows 3 teens (Emma Roberts, Nat Wolff & Jack Kilmer) as they drink, smoke, have sex and wander thru their adolescence. The story is as aimless as their lives. There's no real structure, just scenes of wasted (literally) youth. The only major adult character is Franco who plays an inappropriate coach, Even with though it feels like an MTV reality show, the young actors impressively create natural and complex characters and director Gia Coppola has an ability (like her aunt Sophia) to capture quiet observations and create compelling situations. Look for Jack's dad Val and Gia's great aunt Talia Shire (as the guidance counselor) in cameos.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
SimpleMethodMay 18, 2014
I didn't love it while watching, but after letting it sit for awhile, I decided that I really, really enjoyed this movie. It's a lot like a Sofia Coppola movie-somewhat plotless, but Gia Coppola does a good job and it comes together. She usesI didn't love it while watching, but after letting it sit for awhile, I decided that I really, really enjoyed this movie. It's a lot like a Sofia Coppola movie-somewhat plotless, but Gia Coppola does a good job and it comes together. She uses a lot of scenes as vignettes of sorts, and towards the end I could generally see the themes it was attempting to convey. The plot is really not what won me over though, the way this was shot and the elegant soundtrack are awesome, but the acting! Damn. Jack Kilmer and Nat Wolff are great, especially Wolff's cynical, douchey character. Emma Roberts and James Franco were great and equally convincing as well. It's really kept me thinking about it since I left the theater, and for that it earns my respect. It's not a movie for everyone though and on a purely plot basis, it doesn't do much to distinguish itself from other teenage flicks. But still, everything else adds up to a really fantastic debut for Gia Coppola.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
BrianMcCriticSep 11, 2014
A film that does a good job at showing the potential real life of a teenager, but struggles to get a good feel for the characters. Their is definitely a feel of realism coming from these teens and for the most part the film doesn't holdA film that does a good job at showing the potential real life of a teenager, but struggles to get a good feel for the characters. Their is definitely a feel of realism coming from these teens and for the most part the film doesn't hold back, but after a while I started to wonder how much I cared. All in all it's a mild recommendation. B-… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
keemtDec 23, 2015
The cinematography was awesome, and it's the perfect movie for showing what teenagers do in a rich nice laid-back environment. Totally pointless aside from that, however.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
LeonardoAmatoJan 12, 2018
A powerful and sofisticated journey in high school, where every character represents the difficulties of being a teenager: anger, love, madness, loneliness and most of all, fear. "Palo Alto" isn't afraid to show a new, desperate and lost youth.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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2
jahwerxMay 14, 2016
To summarize, Palo Alto was PONDEROUS. I can't fathom any critic giving this movie a positive review. If you want to watch a bunch of decidedly unrealistic, dysfunctional families plod through "life", well I suppose this movie is right upTo summarize, Palo Alto was PONDEROUS. I can't fathom any critic giving this movie a positive review. If you want to watch a bunch of decidedly unrealistic, dysfunctional families plod through "life", well I suppose this movie is right up your alley. Everyone is always high. um, ok. (yet they don't act high, other than the touchy feely dad). Everyone is always drunk. um, ok. Everyone is constantly smoking (cigarettes when not weed). um, ok. TOTAL CRUTCHES. WEAK. Cinematography is OK, but should have been WAY edited down. Acting is OK for the most part, but the actors weren't given anything to work with. Teddy is the best, BY FAR. And speaking of direction and editing, that scene near the end where Emma's clearly blows a scene, but they decide to "leave it in" because "it looks realistic", maybe!? OMG.

Oh, and as a soccer coach, those scenes were simply UNBEARABLE. The soccer game "kickoff" shot. U8-rec-level.

I'm at a loss.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
DarkwingSchmuckJul 27, 2023
More respectable than admirable, Gia Coppola's Palo Alto focuses on different groups of people in the same area over the course of the same time frame -- a structure not unlike American Graffiti. It has really good performances, and someMore respectable than admirable, Gia Coppola's Palo Alto focuses on different groups of people in the same area over the course of the same time frame -- a structure not unlike American Graffiti. It has really good performances, and some really grounded characters. Unfortunately, there isn't anything that will stick with you long term about it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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