Zach Braff has written, directed and stars in this movie about Andrew Largeman, a man who returns to his home town after many years to attend the funeral of his mother. He almost has no contact with his father anymore, so their relationship is almost nonexistent. While he’s back he meets some of his friends he knew when he was a kid. They all think that he has become a successful actor in Hollywood, but reality is a bit different.
Since he was young his father prescribed him medicines and because of this he feels he hasn’t really lived as he experienced it all in a state where he was numb to it all.
He decides to stop taking them and meet up with another doctor to discuss the effect this might have. While he’s waiting for his appointment he meets Sam (Natalie Portman) who says she is waiting for a friend. It doesn’t take long for Andrew to find out she’s also there because of psychological issues (she’s a big liar). He gives here a ride home and the two start seeing more and more of each other.
The movie shows Andrew’s search for himself and his feelings about things that happened in the past. Sam is a big part of that search. The movie can be described as a romantic comedy, but it doesn’t have the clichés you now expect from the genre. All characters are real people, not caricatures. They have their idiosyncrasies, but not in such a way that they are not believable anymore.
After seeing Léon I was already really impressed by Natalie Portman (although I have seen her act many times before that movie really opened my eyes to her talent) and in Garden State her acting is good. She plays her role of Sam in such a natural way and with so much spontaneity that she managed to define the character as a person you sympathise with, despite the strange quirks.
Garden State to me was a pleasant surprise that was suggested by a fellow blogger. I had never heard about this movie, but I glad I have seen it now.
It is a very fun, smart and romantic comedy which I wouldn’t mind watching again. As it is not your standard romantic comedy it also adds some drama which only adds to the experience. It’s a movie you should have seen.
Score: 8
I really think this film has some interesting moments. Braff clearly has a unique cinematic voice, and I’m a bit disappointed he hasn’t done anything since “Garden State.” Here’s hoping he’ll direct again soon.
It was a bit different, which made me like it. I noticed that Braff didn’t do much more when I was reading about him and I do hope he makes other movies. It’s been 6 years since Garden State, so it is time for a new movie to see whether he can do it again.
Love this film – one of my favorites to be sure. I always gravitated to its notion of “That moment when the place you grew up in doesn’t feel like home anymore”.
I’ve also always wanted some manic-pixie-dreamgirl to hand me a pair of headphones telling me a song will “Totally change my life”.
Good choice!
It’s a theme that was also explored (very differently) in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006), but this movie is so much better.
I can imagine about someone handing the headphones and telling you that. It reminded me a bit of 500 Days of Summer when Summer hears the song in the elevator, which is also the start of a relationship between two people.
Thanks!