We may not be getting a new film from Francis Ford, Sofia, or even Roman Coppola this year, but that leaves room for Gia Coppola (granddaughter of The Godfather director) to deliver her debut. Based on short stories from James Franco (which can be read here), Palo Alto premiered at Venice Film Festival last year and ahead of a May theatrical, we have a new trailer and poster today.
Franco also stars in the tale of a group teenagers (one being Emma Roberts) living out their life in the suburbs, and our colleague David Ehrlich gave it major praise last fall, saying it is “one of the best movies ever made about high school life in America.” Also starring Nat Wolff and Val Kilmer, check back for our review out of Tribeca Film Festival, and one can see the trailer and poster below.
Shy, sensitive April (Emma Roberts) is the class virgin —a popular soccer player and frequent babysitter for her single-dad coach, Mr. B. (James Franco). Teddy (Jack Kilmer) is an introspective artist whose best friend and sidekick Fred (Nat Wolff) is an unpredictable live wire with few filters or boundaries. While April negotiates a dangerous affair with Mr. B., and Teddy performs community service for a DUI — secretly carrying a torch for April, who may or may not share his affection — Fred seduces Emily (Zoe Levin), a promiscuous loner who seeks validation through sexual encounters. One high school party bleeds into another as April and Teddy finally acknowledge their mutual affection, and Fred’s escalating recklessness spirals into chaos.
Palo Alto opens on May 9th.
What do you think of the trailer?