The Tribes of Palos Verdes (2017)

When the situation at her idyllic Palos Verdes home turns volatile, young Medina attempts to surf her way to happiness.

Directors:

Brendan Malloy, Emmett Malloy

Writers:

Karen Croner (screenplay by), Joy Nicholson (based on the novel by)

Stars:

Maika Monroe, Cody Fern, Jennifer Garner

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Maika Monroe	...	Medina
Cody Fern	...	Jim
Jennifer Garner	...	Sandy
Justin Kirk	...	Phil
Noah Silver	...	Adrian
Alex Neustaedter	...	Alex
Thomas Cocquerel	...	Mildew
Milo Gibson	...	Chad
Brice Fisher	...	Danny
Joely Fisher	...	Janet
Elisabeth Röhm	...	Kristen (as Elisabeth Rohm)
Alicia Silverstone	...	Ava
Stevie Lynn Jones	...	Heather
Alex Knost	...	Don Edder
Goran Visnjic	...	Joe

Storyline

When the Mason family moves to idyllic Palos Verdes, Calif., the father, Phil, loves it but the mother, Sandy, feels out of place among the fake tans and tennis skirts. Phil and Sandy's daughter, Medina, is a loner and outcast at school, while her charismatic brother, Jim, is effortlessly popular. When Medina and Jim take up surfing, they must prove their right to share the waves with the tough Bayboys gang that monopolizes their stretch of beach.

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Plot Keywords:

place name in title | surfing | los angeles california | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for drug use, language throughout and some sexual content

Did You Know?

Trivia

D.J. Caruso was set to direct, but dropped out due to schedule conflict.

User Reviews

Unrelenting Melodrama is Far From Entertaining

The Mason family has just moved from Michigan to the exclusive community of Palos Verdes, California. There's the noted heart surgeon father (Justin Kirk), the emotionally troubled mother (Jennifer Garner) and their extremely close twin siblings (Maika Monroe and Cody Fern).

The film is narrated by Monroe's character Medina, as they all settle into their palatial home overlooking the gorgeous Pacific Ocean. However, all is not idyllic in this family, as we actually watch them deteriorate before our eyes.

The acting is solid all around but I found the story led me on a depressive and mean-spirited slog, with the parents particularly despicable here as they manipulate their teenage kids for their own purposes no matter what the cost. Without giving too much away here, the cost will be very high.

Overall, some may find this unrelenting melodrama to their liking but for me it was a difficult view and far from entertaining.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 December 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Tribes of Palos Verdes

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$796, 3 December 2017

Gross USA:

$11,603

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,603

Company Credits

Production Co:

Relativity Media, Revek Entertainment, The Firm

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1