Palo Alto review

The latest Coppola to grab a camera – Francis Ford’s granddaughter, Gia – makes a quietly assured debut with this tale of disaffected youth, adapted from a book of short stories by James Franco. The star also appears as a creepy soccer coach, object of desire for April (Emma Roberts).

Shying from the more controversial yarns in Franco’s book, this is a dreamy take on teen life, authentic in its everyday feel. Yet it plays like a series of disparate shorts and the absence of parents rings false. But with a distinct visual sensibility, Gia proves she’s one more Coppola to watch.