Palo Alto: Stories

James Franco's story collection traces the lives of a group of teenagers as they experiment with vices of all kinds, struggle with their families and one another, and succumb to self-destructive, often heartless nihilism.

In “Lockheed” a young woman's summer—spent working a dull internship—is suddenly upended by a spectacular incident of violence at a house party. In “American History” a high school freshman attempts to impress a girl with a realistic portrayal of a slave owner during a classroom skit—only to have his feigned bigotry avenged. In “I Could Kill Someone,” a lonely teenager buys a gun with the aim of killing his high school tormentor, but begins to wonder about his bully's own inner life.

Features a bonus essay by James Franco on Gia Coppola's film adaptation.

Now a film from director Gia Coppola (Francis Ford Coppola's granddaughter) —starring Emma Roberts, James Franco, Nat Wolff, and Val Kilmer.