In the wake of the classic movies Chicago and Casablanca, films that are odes to the city they are set in, comes Palo Alto, an independent film based in Gunn’s hometown. The first screenplay by fledgling filmmakers and Palo Alto natives Brad Leong, Tony Vallone and Daniel Engelhart, the plot of Palo Alto follows four college students on their last night home of Thanksgiving break. The four friends visit old hangouts and delve back into the lives they left behind.

Fans of shows such as The O.C. and Veronica Mars will be excited to see popular actors Aaron Ashmore, Johnny Lewis, Justin Mentell and Ben Savage in the main roles as old high school friends and Palo Alto High School graduates. The camera follows the intertwining stories of the four characters as they meet with old friends, reminisce about their teenage years and reconcile themselves with their pasts. There is a clear touch of nostalgia, but the overall message is one of development and learning to move on.

For Palo Alto residents, much of the movie’s thrill may stem from being able to see familiar locations on the silver screen. Though many scenes were filmed in neighboring Menlo Park, director Brad Leong captured vital shots in the genuine Palo Alto environment. Observant viewers may recognize some of the houses shot, many of which belong to residents who willingly opened their homes for the film. Other lucky Palo Altans who heard about the project through word-of-mouth volunteered to act as extras and can be seen in the background or even partying with the main characters in house-party scenes.

Students who are interested in discovering the movie’s appeal for themselves and are willing to travel to view it can look up the dates of public film festival screenings at the film’s blog, www.paloaltothemovie.com. Others who choose to wait until the film is officially released may have several more months to wait. After wrapping in July 2008, the filmmakers are now in the crucial stage of locating a distributor. If they succeed, the film will most likely be available in select theaters next year. Regardless of its monetary success, however, Palo Alto is sure to be a hit and a lasting classic for local residents.