The 12th anniversary of “Palo Alto,” Gia Coppola’s 2014 coming-of-age directorial debut, is trending once more, prompting people to discuss the movie’s lasting legacy, whether its star was born with talent, and, naturally, the idea of nepo babies.
The 2014 movie is an adaptation of James Franco’s 2010 collection of short stories. The plot follows a group of disillusioned teenagers living in California’s suburbs, shot in a style that is just as detached and dreamy as the characters’ moods. Its ensemble cast features rising star Emma Roberts, who has since become a household name, and an unknown actress, Margaret Qualley, whose acting debut in the movie is widely celebrated as exceptional.
Today, Qualley herself is considered one of the best-known and best-loved young actors, prompting people to revisit her first feature film. However, opinions differ regarding the timeline of the actress’s career.
“Definitely has staying power,” one user commented. “Can’t believe she came so far since Palo Alto. Even though that movie came out in 2014.”
However, while many commenters are eager to praise the talented young actress and wish her continued success, not everyone is equally pleased by the trend.
“Not surprised,” another user responded to the same comment. “She’s a nepo baby. But luckily, she has real talent, because she’s a nepo baby.”
Some commenters were even more direct about Qualley’s acting skills. “Most acclaimed for a lip bite,” one user commented. “But at least she should be grateful most actresses in her age range aren’t even capable of that.”
While it may seem that nothing much happened during the last few years, “Palo Alto” is a unique contribution to the coming-of-age genre.
