Garden State

2004
7.4| 1h42m| R| en| More Info
Released: 28 July 2004 Released
Producted By: Double Feature Films
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/gardenstate/
Synopsis

Andrew returns to his hometown for the funeral of his mother, a journey that reconnects him with past friends. The trip coincides with his decision to stop taking his powerful antidepressants. A chance meeting with Sam - a girl also suffering from various maladies - opens up the possibility of rekindling emotional attachments, confronting his psychologist father, and perhaps beginning a new life.

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Reviews

Lawbolisted Powerful
Dotsthavesp I wanted to but couldn't!
Kailansorac Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.
Freeman This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.
cathaleoin1999 I was lucky enough to find a DVD copy of this film in my local library. Being a die-hard fan of Scrubs and Zach Braff, I decided to rent this film out not expecting much. Two hours later, I was sitting in my living room amazed by this little film. It's difficult to summarize this film because, well I found anyway, it takes multiple viewings to fully understand Garden State. At first viewing, it's a story about an actor trying to re-connect with his family after his mother's death. Then, another viewing and you appreciate the love story between Andrew (Braff) and Sam (the always wonderful Natalie Portman). Another viewing and understand Andrew trying to re-connect with people he knew from growing up, such as Mark (Peter Sarsgaard). It is here that you realize just how out of place Andrew now is at home.After a fourth viewing, you see that it is about a struggling actor trying to find his purpose, and a woman who gives him purpose.This film will make you think, and think and think and think again, and those are the best types of films. With possibly the best soundtrack of any film of all time, Garden State is worth more than the multiple viewings it warrants. It is now one of my go-to films.
kosmasp If you only saw Zach in the TV show Scrubs you might feel weird seeing him in this. And if you also knew that he directed it, you might feel (prior to watching) that he is way over his head. I don't know if or how much help he got making this movie, but I do know that this comes off as a very assured effort.This drama lives also with the other cast members. You can never go wrong with Natalie Portman, but also any of the other actors. Their ability to go through the motions and sell the slow pacing of the movie is elevating the movie. Of course you have to be able to watch Dramas and have patience, but if you don't than this isn't for you anyway. Otherwise, watch and enjoy its weird look at life/youth in the early "noughties"
coryspencer666 Whenever conversations ensue about television or cinema the name Zach Braff eludes people, he is merely known as the 'guy from Scrubs'. But this charming, beautifully made romantic comedy tears this label away, he has cemented himself as not only a diverse actor but as an intelligent storyteller. Zach Braff doesn't own all the spotlight, everyone in the film is outstanding. Natalie Portman like usual is flawless in her 'girl next door' sweetheart and Peter Sarsgaad is also brilliant. this idea of having no particular villain within the characters but rather life in general, it is a very mature theme for someone, at the time, had a label of immaturity and 'child-like' quirks. People use their debuts in writing and directing to push their talents and explore new ways of making a film. Although Zach Braff may not of made the most original piece of cinema known to man, Garden State still pushes your emotions, certainly from a personal point of view Garden State left an permanent scar on my look of life. To really live your life to its fullest is to experience freedom. Garden State is full of interesting characters who are well developed and have no problem showcasing their chemistry with each other. The best directional debut in a very long time, Zach Braff has proved himself as a young pioneer of storytelling and the language that is cinema. A definite must-see you will never look at Zach Braff as the 'guy from Scrubs' ever again.
Rodolphe Fleury This is typically the kind of film I despise, I call them Sundance film, they are the Canada Dry of art film, it looks like an art film, it smells like an art film but it's just another rubbish ROM com that wants really badly to be hip. It borrows a bit of the Wes Anderson aesthetics to be quirky (wow his jumper matches the sofa) but all the characters are clichés and lame, it wants desperately to be the document of a generation ( listen to the shins, it will save your life ermmmmmmm, it's not Bob Dylan or Public Enemy). A bit of cutesy folk there for emotion, some Coldplay (wow very marginal). It's contrived, cheesy and wants to be controversial (drugs! Great, the corporate lawyer that lives next to my flat takes drugs, and he's anything but cool, interesting or deep). And worst of all, that scene where Zack Braff (it's not a character really is it, it's him wanting the world to be miserable, the ultimate victim) wants to makes us cry using the brother that died when he was a kid, he feels guilty because he didn't save him, so right he's all messed up and all. Well it didn't happened to you, write it for a character, but not for lachrymal power. I felt truly disgusted by this scene, mostly because you can tell there's no ethics behind, no meaning, and Zack Braff not being a good drama actor makes it awkward. And casting Nathalie Portman so you can kiss the hot chick is very pathetic.