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The Tribes of Palos Verdes

Play trailer 2:20 Poster for The Tribes of Palos Verdes R 2017 1h 45m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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70% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 56% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
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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The Tribes of Palos Verdes

The Tribes of Palos Verdes

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Critics Consensus

The Tribes of Palos Verdes serves up a minor -- albeit alluringly atmospheric -- variation on the coming-of-age story, led by a strong performance from Maika Monroe.

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Critics Reviews

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Emily Yoshida New York Magazine/Vulture 08/13/2018
It's a gorgeous-looking, sensitively edited film to be sure, but never finds a dramatic foothold, no matter how many manic arguments and drug overdoses it throws our way. Go to Full Review
Matthew Lickona San Diego Reader 12/15/2017
1/5
What's the point of white privilege if it doesn't protect you from disaster and despair? Go to Full Review
Robert Abele Los Angeles Times 12/07/2017
The directors get some melancholic atmosphere out of their visuals but don't have the scene sense to build their actors' committed performances into compelling through-lines of seaside personality disintegration. Go to Full Review
Jennifer Merin AWFJ.org 11/04/2021
Written by Karen Croner, the film features a strong performance from Jennifer Garner, who plays against type as Medina's emotionally unstable mother who cannot cope with her doctor husband's infidelities and his decision to end their marriage. Go to Full Review
Cate Marquis AWFJ.org 11/04/2021
Maika Monroe and​ ​Cody Fern make The Tribes of Palos Verdes the success it is. Utilizing a diarylike narration the film is a slow burn through the downward spiral of one family's West Coast transition. Go to Full Review
MaryAnn Johanson AWFJ.org 11/04/2021
Maika Monroe and Jennifer Garner shine in as a mother and daughter at odds with each other but both deeply impacted by toxic masculinity *and* toxic consumerism... Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Carole S @Carole140 6d The film as a whole probably appeals to youth, but to an adult is boring. However Jennifer Garner is amazing. She really lets loose and she has amazing range. You never see this side of her ability in the things she usually does, but it was really impressive. See more Jan 3 It's interesting and surprising to see all these mixed reviews. I found the movie enjoyable from start to finish, the two kids imo being the best actors on the movie. The music, camera, I found it enchanting. Jennifer garner was good, but the kids and their relationship held the movie together. See more Jerod S 11/22/2023 Garner is excellent with her mental disorder poured on top of a narcassistic husband that wants to move to Cali to do more surgeries. Twin kids struggle as their parents fall apart and they find themselves surfing. See more Marcelo V 04/09/2023 Filme triste e real. Jennifer Garner perfeita See more 08/01/2022 Encapsulated Teen Angst Via The Many Avoidance Methods A Beachside Suburb Holds. Just Because You Have Paradise On Your Doorstep, Does Not Mean Modern Day Problems Disappear. Establishes Quite Well The Idea Of How Disconnected People Can Be When They're All Trying To Escape. See more 10/10/2021 Not my type of movie 1.9 See more Read all reviews
The Tribes of Palos Verdes

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Movie Info

Synopsis 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.
Director
Emmett Malloy, Brendan Malloy
Producer
Robbie Brenner, Karen Croner
Screenwriter
Karen Croner, Joy Nicholson
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Truth Entertainment (II), Relativity Media, The Firm, The Mark Gordon Company
Rating
R (Some Sexual Content|Language Throughout|Drug Use)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 1, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.7K
Runtime
1h 45m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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