Garden State (2004) Movie Information:

Garden State (2004) Directed by: Zach Braff Garden State (2004) Written by: Zach Braff Garden State (2004) Cast: Natalie Portman, Zach Braff, Ian Holm, Peter Sarsgaard, Jean Smart, Method Man, Ron Liebman, Ann Dowd, Denis O'Hare, Michael Weston

Garden State (2004) U.S. Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures Garden State (2004) U.K. Distributor: Buena Vista

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Garden State (2004) Synopsis:

Andrew Largeman shuffled through life in a lithium-induced coma until his mother's death inspired a vacation from the pills to see what might happen. A moderately successful TV actor living in Los Angeles, "Large" hasn't been home to the "Garden State" in nine years. But even with 3,000 miles between them, he's been unable to escape his domineering father Gideon and the silencing effect he's had on his son from afar. Stunned to find himself in his hometown after such a long absence, Large finds old acquaintances around every corner living quite unique lives as gravediggers, fast food knights and the panderers of pyramid schemes. Meanwhile, at home, he does his best to avoid a long-simmering but inevitable confrontation with his father. By a twist of fate, Large meets Sam, a girl who is everything he isn't. A blast of color, hope and quirks, Sam becomes a sidekick who refuses to ride in his sidecar. Her warmth and fearlessness give Large the courage to open his heart to the joy and pain of the infinite abyss that is life.

Garden State (2004) Movie Review:

"You can never go home again."

First–time filmmaker and screenwriter Zach Braff (TV’s “Scrubs”) zeroes in on what it takes to feel again and what it takes to come home once more in “Garden State”.

Braff stars as Andrew Largeman, a struggling LA actor who returns home to New Jersey after the sudden passing of his mother. “Large” seems to float through his old existence as he reconnects with his old friend Mark (Peter Sarsgaard). Large also has a hard time dealing with his psychiatrist father Gideon (Ian Holm).

It isn’t until a pleasant twist of fate does Large find a real reason to feel again when he meets free-spirit Sam (Natalie Portman). Sam seems to shine a light into Large’s gloomy world. It is her nature and nurturing take that seems to allow Large to see a new light in his life.

“Garden State” is a hilarious, quirky comedy and brilliant to its core. It is textured with zany scenes and multi-dimensional characters that you really have no idea where the characters will end up next. It is in that off-beat tone that evolves into one of the best comedies I have seen in years.

Braff brings so much to each and every character that we witness their off-putting ways but for some unknown reason see so much realism in their portrayals.

From Sam’s hamster wielding mother to Large’s aunt’s funeral serenade to Mark’s knight-laying mother, “Garden State” assembles some of the most interesting and hilarious comedic characters in years.

The performance of Braff as his own creation, Large is subdued and withdrawn but that is why this character needs to feel so desperately. Portman’s Sam is cute, full of feeling and a perfect opposite to Large.

I also have to give credit to veteran indie-actor Peter Sarsgaard who does a brilliant performance as Large’s struggling friend Mark. His performance brings so many levels to Mark even if the script doesn’t allow the actor to fully explore them.

I also liked the fact that “Garden State” in its fresh and unique take was not afraid to tackle the controversial topic of kids becoming reliant on anti-depressants like lithium. This topic is so interwoven into the film that it is there to enlighten us but not steer us away from the lighter comedy moments. If anything it enhances some of them.

The film reminded me a lot of the classic John Cusack comedies from the 1980s like “Better Off Dead”, “A Sure Thing” and obviously director Cameron Crowe’s “Say Anything”. In each of those films, there is an under-lying message that echoes throughout the film but laughter and craziness allows the audience to absorb the message.

Teenage suicide, a question of beauty and family secrets were all some of the harsher topics interlaced and woven into these classic comedies. “Garden State” is definitely a throwback to those comedies and could be heralded as the best of the bunch.

The Academy Awards really need to honor Braff with at least an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay this year. It is an utterly involving and brilliant screenplay.

“Garden State” is as perfect as a comedy can get.

So Says the Soothsayer.

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Garden State (2004) review written by: Dean Kish