Palo Alto (film)

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Palo Alto (2007)
Directed by Brad Leong
Produced by Daniel Engelhardt
Written by Brad Leong
Tony Vallone
Starring Aaron Ashmore
Johnny Lewis
Justin Mentell
Autumn Reeser
Ben Savage
Tom Arnold
Music by Geoffrey Pope
Cinematography Rachel Morrison
Editing by Kevin Gasca
Release date(s) 2007
Language English
IMDb profile

Palo Alto (2007) is an independent film that takes place in Palo Alto, California and is produced by three locals of that city.[1] The plot centers on four college freshmen on their last night of Thanksgiving Break, their first time back since leaving for school.[2] They find that the old adage about absence making the heart grow fonder rings true in director Brad Leong's nostalgic comedy drama.

It is then that they come to realize that their small town, once seemingly boring and meaningless, has much more to offer than they ever expected.

Palo Alto stars Aaron Ashmore, Johnny Lewis, Justin Mentell, Autumn Reeser, Ben Savage and Tom Arnold.

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[edit] Plot summary

Palo Alto is the story of four college freshman on their last night of Thanksgiving Break, their first time back since leaving for school. We follow them as they come to realize that their small town, once seemingly boring and meaningless, has much more to offer then they ever expected.

The film opens with Alec, Nolan, Patrick and Ryan sneaking into an old classroom to retrieve an item confiscated by a freshman high school teacher. Their conversation is interrupted when campus security discovers them. The friends dart through the halls of the school and manage to avoid capture. Now in front of Palo Alto High, the friends say their goodbyes for the evening.

Alone and concerned that his night will end with no excitement, Alec befriends an older fraternity brother, Anthony. The two quickly bond through mutual initiation stories, and the admiration Alec has for the more experienced partier.

On a school bus, Morgan, in his twenty-fifth year as a bus driver, discovers his old passenger Nolan at a public bus stop. The two catch up and Morgan tries his luck as cupid by inviting a young girl on board.

Patrick is visiting Amy, his girl friend of four years. Patrick attempts to explain his vision of the future, which, of course, includes Amy. She quickly cuts him off to break his heart and destroy his neatly planned life.

When Ryan arrives at Audrey’s house, he expects to get some action and leave quickly. He is shocked to hear that she wants more than a physical relationship. Disgusted with his reaction, Audrey steals his car – leaving him stranded with her Grandma. The two hit the streets in her aging automobile looking for Audrey.

The four boy’s stories continue throughout the night, briefly intersecting, before the sun rises and they all leave home again.

[edit] Featured cast (alphabetically)

The cast at the Tribeca Film Festival premiere
The cast at the Tribeca Film Festival premiere
Actor Role
Tom Arnold Morgan
Aaron Ashmore Alec
Eve Brent Susan Pierce
Hailey Bright Jessica
Shoshana Bush Audrey
Christina DeRosa Ashley
Girl 2
Ryan Hansen Anthony
Robin Hines Becky
Johnny Lewis Nolan
Jason McMahon Dave
"The Stoner"
Justin Mentell Ryan
Autumn Reeser Jaime
Connor Ross Andrew
Ben Savage Patrick
Rosalie Ward Amy

[edit] References

  1. ^ Pedregal, Christopher. ""Palo Alto": Young filmmakers are closer than you think", Stanford Daily, 2006-08-31. Retrieved on 2007-02-04. 
  2. ^ Berman, Janice. "Young filmmakers shoot 'Palo Alto' with 'American Graffiti' in mind", San Francisco Chronicle, 2006-09-06. Retrieved on 2007-02-04. 

[edit] External links