By 
“PALO ALTO” ****
If you think you’re aware of everything that goes on with the new generation, it’s time to rethink that. There’s so much to explore in other directions, enough to surprise an adult who believes everything about a teenager is trouble and rebellious experiences. Of course that is a fact, but they’re all just trying to make it through the process of growing up and acquiring maturity. Since in the early 50’s, Cinema has been breaking boundaries, depicting youth rebellions according to their time. Throughout the decades, and most recently with films like “Basketball Diaries”, “Kids”, “Thirteen” and last year’s “Spring Breakers”, the industry found a new genre, a troubled-kids-tale in order to alert and prevent from worsening.
The passionate talent for filmmaking seems to run in the Coppola’s family blood. Francis is one of the most important cineastes of all time, Sofia has earned respect for her personal takes on relationships, Roman has been collaborating in awesome pieces, and now Gia, at the age of 27, confirms the trend. The granddaughter of Francis, adapted some short-stories written by James Franco about a group of middle-class teenagers dealing with premature despairs, and with the responsibility and development of the project, she proves she’s in control. At the opening scene, two young best friends chill inside a car parked somewhere, and suddenly they hit the car on a brick wall, just because that ‘feels awesome’. Then we meet the other characters involved, a beautiful soccer enthusiast who gets mocked for being a virgin, her handsome divorcee coach, her slutty classmates, the boy whom she’s in love with and his lunatic friend. It seems like we’ve seen it before, but Gia Coppola tries another direction, a different perspective, giving her credits for authenticity. Instead of shocking, or creating a repugnant atmosphere, her camera only observes the feelings arising on these characters, which is mostly of joy and pure plain love. Due to a miscommunication and exaggeration, the young couple who were meant to discover each other, end up drifting apart in search of love’s first taste in other people who cross their way. April (Emma Roberts) becomes involved with her coach, while Teddy (Jack Kilmer) falls for another girl and gets in trouble with the authorities. Everything seems to conspire against them, while they’re just trying to connect with the new level in life. Their parents are absent which isn’t of any help, April’s mom is always on the phone worried that her daughter could end up as depressed as she looks, while the father figure is constantly stoned. Teddy’s home is easier to deal with but not strong enough to lead him into the even more complicated future. Gia grabs the audience with her precision and understanding of the material, proving that she is completely aware of her characters’ needs: love and comprehension, and overcome their fears. Through that aspect, surrounded by her sensibility, she points to important issues, but won’t allow them to fail, giving them hope on the horizon. Touching, heart-breaking and very accurate, Gia created the season’s best take on youth, stating that the cycle of life has been the same for all, since its beginning; and despite some upsetting aspects, we all live just like they did.
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