You can also read this review in LunaLunaMag.
The Coppolas sure are fascinated by Californians. Sophia Coppola covered the vapidity of the Bling Ring, and now her niece Gia adapts James Franco’s short stories of Palo Alto. Much like California in general, Palo Alto boasts some fascinating people and a fresh spin on a high school drama, but it prances around thinking it is more clever than it actually is.
The two focal points for Palo Alto are April (Emma Roberts) and Teddy (Jack Kilmer, Val Kilmer’s son). April is a likable soccer player who enjoys her teacher/coach Mr. B (James Franco) so much that she babysits his kid. Teddy is an aspiring artist. Both are going through “crises.” April’s questioning her virginity with Mr. B as she harbors feelings for him; she also is struggling with school. Teddy has a Murphy’s law friend Fred (Nat Wolff) who gets him a DUI forcing Teddy to live with the consequences.
Palo Alto’ biggest strength is its truly affluent California setting. More often than not, these kids are forgiven their vices because of their money and entitled families. Parents are convinced that their privilege is enough to parent their children; hell, even authority figures coast on their cushy lifestyle. Therefore, kids from Palo Alto have no idea what consequences are, and no one with personal experience to teach them anything. The kids are all adrift in the world, begging for attention in their own ways. Some use sex; others use wild antics; others use drugs. Mistakes are made by every teen; Palo Alto showcases that in the void of guidance, your inner feelings will eventually guide you, which can be rewarding or heartbreaking depending on what you believe.
Much like Dazed and Confused, Palo Alto’s screenplay meanders aimlessly, capturing the day-to-day of high school activity, at least in California. This is intentional, since Palo Alto’s youth appear to be purposeless. However, Gia Coppola’s story lacks narrative drive that Dazed and Confused had. There are some dead spots (Mr. B’s subplot wears out quickly) that suck the energy out of the story. Most of these kids are so reprehensible that spending time with them just isn’t enjoyable. Palo Alto is always complicated, but it is also can be very boring.
Some of the Palo Alto adolescents are very good here. Emma Roberts continues to grow in small films. April is clearly the most likeable while still being understandably flawed. Roberts does this subtly, but effectively if paying attention. Jack Kilmer is mostly playing shy, to no great effect, positive or negative. Nat Wolff is the scene stealer as closeted Fred, but Zoe Levin gets the best arc as the put upon friend of April’s. Of the adults, James Franco is as slimy as ever as April’s soccer coach, and Val Kilmer has fun playing one of April’s parents.
James Franco got into a big sexting scandal trying to promote Palo Alto, which seems like something one of these kids would have attempted. Gia Coppola’s first effort succeeds on the character front, but needs a better idea to hold the story together. We do learn one important lesson: Mortal Kombat’s female characters do have crappy abilities.