The story isn't interesting. I'm afraid James Franco's story isn't unique or meaningful and should not have been made into a movie. A few teens taking drugs and acting out. An inappropriate relationship between teacher and student. A few meaningless hookups. Nothing much happens and the story or characters aren't interesting. There is a tendency to pay attention to whatever the Coppola family does on screen. Publicity follows. But take a step back and ask yourself what's the use of a good director when the story is so nothing? Jack Kilmer who looks like a lot like his mother Joanne Whalley gives an insipid performance as a uncharismatic and boring teen. To be fair he didn't have much to work with. Emma Robert's character is a bit more interesting but in the end none of the characters have any meaning.
Don't bother.
Don't bother.