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Palo Alto (film)
Encyclopedia
Palo Alto is a 2007 independent film that is set in Palo Alto, California
and was produced by three locals of that city. The plot centers on four college freshmen on their last night of Thanksgiving Break, their first time back since leaving for school. They find that the old adage about absence making the heart grow fonder rings true in director Brad Leong's nostalgic comedy drama.
Only then do they realize 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
.
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 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 (Jaime). Nolan and Jaime continue, inventing adventures.
Patrick is visiting Amy, his girlfriend 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 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.
Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto is a California charter city located in the northwest corner of Santa Clara County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, United States. The city shares its borders with East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Stanford, Portola Valley, and Menlo Park. It is...
and was produced by three locals of that city. The plot centers on four college freshmen on their last night of Thanksgiving Break, their first time back since leaving for school. They find that the old adage about absence making the heart grow fonder rings true in director Brad Leong's nostalgic comedy drama.
Only then do they realize their small town, once seemingly boring and meaningless, has much more to offer than they ever expected.
Palo Alto stars Aaron Ashmore
Aaron Ashmore
Aaron Robert Ashmore is a Canadian film and television actor, perhaps best known for his role as Jimmy Olsen in Smallville and as Steve Jinks in Warehouse 13. He is the twin brother of actor Shawn Ashmore.-Career:...
, Johnny Lewis
Johnny Lewis
Jonathan Kendrick "Johnny" Lewis , also credited as Johnny K. Lewis, is an American actor.-Life and career:Lewis began making television appearances while in his late teens with guest starring roles in American Dreams , Boston Public , and The Guardian , among others...
, Justin Mentell
Justin Mentell
Justin Michael Mentell was an American artist and actor. He was best known for his role as Garrett Wells on Boston Legal. He died in a car accident in Iowa County, Wisconsin.-Life and career:...
, Autumn Reeser
Autumn Reeser
Autumn Alicia Reeser is an American actress and blogger. She has portrayed Taylor Townsend on the Fox series The O.C., Lizzie Grant on HBO's Entourage and most recently appeared as Katie Andrews on ABC's No Ordinary Family....
, Ben Savage
Ben Savage
Bennett Joseph "Ben" Savage is an American film and TV actor and child star of late 1980s and 1990s. Savage is best known for his role as lead character Cory Matthews on the TV sitcom Boy Meets World from 1993 to 2000....
and Tom Arnold
Tom Arnold (actor)
Thomas Dwaine "Tom" Arnold is an American actor and comedian. He has appeared in many films, perhaps most notably True Lies . He was the host of The Best Damn Sports Show Period for four years.-Early life:...
.
Plot
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 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 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 (Jaime). Nolan and Jaime continue, inventing adventures.
Patrick is visiting Amy, his girlfriend 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 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.
Cast
- Aaron AshmoreAaron AshmoreAaron Robert Ashmore is a Canadian film and television actor, perhaps best known for his role as Jimmy Olsen in Smallville and as Steve Jinks in Warehouse 13. He is the twin brother of actor Shawn Ashmore.-Career:...
as Alec - Johnny LewisJohnny LewisJonathan Kendrick "Johnny" Lewis , also credited as Johnny K. Lewis, is an American actor.-Life and career:Lewis began making television appearances while in his late teens with guest starring roles in American Dreams , Boston Public , and The Guardian , among others...
as Nolan - Justin MentellJustin MentellJustin Michael Mentell was an American artist and actor. He was best known for his role as Garrett Wells on Boston Legal. He died in a car accident in Iowa County, Wisconsin.-Life and career:...
as Ryan - Autumn ReeserAutumn ReeserAutumn Alicia Reeser is an American actress and blogger. She has portrayed Taylor Townsend on the Fox series The O.C., Lizzie Grant on HBO's Entourage and most recently appeared as Katie Andrews on ABC's No Ordinary Family....
as Jaime - Ben SavageBen SavageBennett Joseph "Ben" Savage is an American film and TV actor and child star of late 1980s and 1990s. Savage is best known for his role as lead character Cory Matthews on the TV sitcom Boy Meets World from 1993 to 2000....
as Patrick - Ryan HansenRyan HansenRyan Hansen is an American actor, best known for having portrayed Dick Casablancas on Veronica Mars and Nolan in Friday the 13th...
as Anthony - Connor Ross as Andrew
- Eve Brent as Susan Pierce
- Shoshana BushShoshana Bush-Career:Bush is a native of Tiburon, California. She has made guest appearances on television series such as CSI: Miami, Moonlight and Ghost Whisperer. In 2007, she co-starred alongside Tom Arnold in Palo Alto and then appeared in the 2008 film Fling...
as Audrey - Rosalie WardRosalie WardRosalie Ward is an American actress, most known for her role as Sloane Capshaw in Saints & Sinners. Ward has also worked on several films such as Kids in America, Why Germany? and Palo Alto...
as Amy - Tom ArnoldTom Arnold (actor)Thomas Dwaine "Tom" Arnold is an American actor and comedian. He has appeared in many films, perhaps most notably True Lies . He was the host of The Best Damn Sports Show Period for four years.-Early life:...
as Morgan - Robin Hines as Becky
- Matthew Castellana as Danny Yates
- Jason McMahon as Dave, the Stoner
- Edward Singletary as Doctor
- Hailey Bright as Jessica
- Christina DeRosaChristina DeRosaChristina DeRosa is an American actress.-Early life:DeRosa is the daughter from the second-generation of Italian parents Thomas and Antoinette DeRosa.-Movie career:...
as Ashley - Jay Joshua Hoffman as Jay Bob
- Alona Lewis as EMT
- Luka Apt as Party Boy