Palo Alto, Gia Coppola

Yes, that Coppola. Gia is the granddaughter of Our Great Francis Ford, director of Apocalypse Now, which is in my Pantheon of movies. This film doesn't reach that level, but it's certainly an achievement considering it's her feature-film debut. It's an adolescent drama about four teenagers who're trying to get through life......to live. It feels genuine. April, who becomes entangled in a relationship with her soccer coach, is unsure of what she wants. Teddy's simply there, repositioning after some mistakes. Fred's flamboyant nature seems to be a front for an identity crisis. Emily is a tragic figure, one whose search for love has left her used and alone. Amidst the darkness there is hope, at least for April and Teddy, as their romance seems inevitable. Their interactions seem real; mannerisms indicate feelings as much as words. Gia's style combined with the score creates a seamless flow of scenes. We're left with a deeply relatable film that signifies the emergence of another great Coppola.

3.5 / 4