Why you can trust 12DOVE
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.
James Mottram is a freelance film journalist, author of books that dive deep into films like Die Hard and Tenet, and a regular guest on the Total Film podcast. You'll find his writings on 12DOVE and Total Film, and in newspapers and magazines from across the world like The Times, The Independent, The i, Metro, The National, Marie Claire, and MindFood.