Garden State
Short answer: Brilliant. Hilarious. Go see this movie. Now!
Garden State is a drama/comedy written and directed by Zach Braff (Scrubs), and is his first film. It stars Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgard, and Ian holm.
The main character is Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff), who is returning to New Jersey for the first time in 9 years for his mother’s funeral. He has been dosed on lithium and other emotion curving drugs for the majority of his life, prescribed by his psychiatrist father (Ian Holms). However he decides to leave his medication behind on his return to New Jersey, abandoning it for the first time in 9 years. During his time in New Jersey, he meets old friends (including Peter Sarsgard), resolves issues with his father, and meets the cute, innocent and eccentric Sam (Natalie Portman). As the plot progresses, Andrew gradually becomes re-awakened to the emotions of the world, regaining his ability to feel, live and love again.
The movie balances between a serious drama/love story and a comedy really well. Zach Braff’s directing is brilliant. The development of Andrew Largeman from an emotional vegetable, to regaining his capacity to feel various emotions again is portrayed stylishly and well. The characters and dialogue are memorable, and the humour of the film contains many moments that are no doubt ‘soon-to-be-classic,’ including the ‘morning after’ the party scene, and even when Andrew first gets out of the car at the start of the movie (not to be spoiled here). The acting is great and Natalie Portman provides most of the film’s life, energy and humour through what is by far her best performance yet, surpassing even Beautiful Girls and The Professional/Leon. The movie’s sound track is excellent, and whilst Garden State is aimed at the uni-student generation, the appeal goes well beyond it. I rarely go see a movie twice at the cinema, but this I can’t wait to see again! This is the most enjoyable, fresh and humorous movie to date!
5/5
Michael Hill
