When you have a famous last name, there’s a certain level of heightened expectation when you enter into the family business. Just ask Gia Coppola, granddaughter of the great Francis Ford Coppola and niece of both Sofia Coppola and Nicolas Cage (yeah, he changed his name), who’s making her writing/directing debut with Palo Alto.
The film stars Emma Roberts and James Franco, with the former being another legacy performer as the daughter of Eric Roberts and niece of Julia Roberts. And while Franco may be a first generation star, the guy is involved in so many ventures (actor, screenwriter, director,author, poet, reality TV star) that he generates more work than an entire family all by himself. Case in point, Palo Alto is actually based on a book he wrote. And it actually doesn’t look too bad.
The film made its debut at Telluride Film Festival last night, so you should be seeing some reviews popping up soon, but thus far I kind of like what I’m seeing. Yes, it’s not exactly original as anybody who’s ever seen a rock music video from the 1990’s, much less a movie, would probably recognize it (oh wow, kids from the burbs are up to no good!), but with this kind of tale it’s all in the execution. Based on just this trailer, there seems to be a dreamy, ephemeral quality to it, which is appealing to me.
Also, keep an eye out in that trailer for Val Kilmer, who continues the production’s theme of family as he joins his son, Jack Kilmer.
Palo Alto currently doesn’t have a release date or studio deal yet, but I’m predicting that Franco will just print it all at his place, before setting up the projectors himself in all the cinemas on the James Franco Day public holiday he’s going to declare.
Last Updated: September 3, 2013
James Francis
September 3, 2013 at 14:31
Not sold on that yet, but it is cool to see Kilmer in something that might not suck.