Yosemite (2015)

It's the fall of 1985. The intertwining tales of three 5th grade friends, Chris, Joe and Ted, unfold in the suburban paradise of Palo Alto, as the threat of a mountain lion looms over the community.

Director:

Gabrielle Demeestere

Writers:

Gabrielle Demeestere, James Franco (based on: the short stories "Yosemite" and "Peter Parker" by)

Stars:

James Franco, Everett Meckler, Alec Mansky

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Franco	...	Phil
Henry Hopper	...	Henry
Everett Meckler	...	Chris
Carlisle Forrester	...	Waitress
Alec Mansky	...	Joe
George Maguire	...	Store Owner - Ed
Troy Tinnirello	...	Alex
Jasmine Kuo	...	Girl in Store
Lindsay Chambers	...	Store Customer
Kate Bowner	...	Girl on Bike
Elizabeth Wang	...	Mrs. Gong - 5th Grade Teacher (as Beth Wang)
Danika Biscevic	...	5th Grader
Elyse Bordenave	...	5th Grader
Nathan Brown	...	5th Grader
Josh Fellion	...	5th Grader

Storyline

It's the fall of 1985. The intertwining tales of three 5th grade friends, Chris, Joe and Ted, unfold in the suburban paradise of Palo Alto, as the threat of a mountain lion looms over the community.

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Plot Keywords:

middle school | abused child | friendship | f rated | grazed by bullet | 

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Taglines:

Growing up is an adventure

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexual material/nudity and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on James Franco's book Palo Alto.

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Connections

References The Dark Crystal (1982)

User Reviews

Some Good Moments But Not Enough

Set in 1985 in the city of Palo Alto, California,this movie written and directed by Gabrielle Demeesterre, is based on 2 short stories from James Franco's 2013 book "A California Childhood". Upon reading the premise of the film, I wondered if it it would compare in any way to Rob Reiner's 1986 classic "Stand By Me",but it really doesn't compare, like very few, if any movies could.

The story revolves around the coming-of-age adventures of 3 fifth graders Chris (Everett Meckler), Joe (Alec Mansky), and Ted (Calum John), who are all newcomers to the silver screen. The boys are trying to cope with friendships, broken families, the death of loved ones, missing family pets, as well as an encroachment on Palo Alto by mountain lions, who are feeling the pinch of expanding cities into their natural habitats and thus have been entering neighborhoods looking for water and food.

Although this indie maintains a good sense of foreboding throughout, it never seems to actualize enough dramatic tension to be engrossing. Also, there are some plot elements that remain too ambiguous, such as the actual intentions of the young man Henry (Henry Hopper), who rather creepily befriends Joe and invites him to his house to read comic books.

All in all, I thought this movie has some good moments, but there weren't enough of them to cohere into an absorbing and enjoyable film.

Details

Official Sites:

myFILM.gr - Image Gallery

Country:

France

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 January 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Yosemite

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,461, 3 January 2016

Gross USA:

$13,931

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,931

Company Credits

Production Co:

Elysium Bandini Studios, RabbitBandini Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1