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:
Every once and while there is a little film that comes around, which is not perfect, but so pleasant and original that it stays with us for a duration of time. Zach Braff’s Garden State is one of those special films.
Most notable for his supporting role on television’s Scrubs, Braff pulls off a successful hat trick as the star, writer, and director of Garden State. This enduring film of finding one’s self has an ample amount of laughs as well as a few thugs at the heart.
Andrew Largeman (Braff) is a struggling 26 year-old actor in Los Angeles that’s only known performance was in a television movie about a challenged football quarterback. To make ends meet he works a deadbeat job as a waiter at a Vietnamese restaurant. Not far into the film, Andrew learns that his paraplegic mother has drowned in the bathtub from a message left by his distance psychiatrist father (Sir Ian Holm). Before catching a plane back home to New Jersey (The Garden State), Andrew distinctively leaves behind his array of depression medication. The young actor has not been home in nine years and it is noticeable that he and his father’s relationship are composed of mostly short answers and silence. During his mother’s burial, Andrew is reunited with an old high school pal named Mark (Peter Sarsgaard), who is now a self-absorbed gravedigger.
Mark brings Andrew back around to meet with his past friends, which include Albert (Denis O’Hare), who is filthy rich due to his invention of soundless velcro. After being exposed to the life of his old pals and still being sickened by his father, Andrew meets the distinctive Sam (Natalie Portman). Sam also has her own problems, but is so free spirited that she helps open Andrew to a way of life that he has never experienced.
Garden State is a story of self-discovery told very cleverly by Braff. This story could be a typical one of a young man coming home to find himself, but Braff’s script is so fresh, likeable, keen, and more than anything genuine. There are so many layers to this film and to each character, even a supporting character such as Andrew’s father reflects so many ticks as an angered soul that has felt so much pain. Andrew is the crucial backbone to the story and appears in every scene of the film. All of the characters are well defined throughout the film, and each have their own zany ticks, which makes them all the more identifiable. There are a few times where the film detours into a questionable realm of unexpected circumstances, such as one that includes Method Man’s Diego having his own side business as a hotel employee.
This film’s story has already been compared to great films like The Graduate and Good Will Hunting; but Garden State is really a film all its own. Braff’s balanced story is of a young man returning home to deal with loss, but actually finds himself. There are some strong emotional scenes in this film as well as many humorous moments. This is a personal story to Braff as a filmmaker and he does an excellent job of telling it.
Braff is also solid in his role as the lead Andrew Largeman. His comedic timing and delivery are terrific, but Braff also has an endearing innocence about him that is favorable. Natalie Portman delivers some of her best work as the full of heart Sam. Portman is such a fine actress that has pretty much been hidden under the wing of green screens with George Lucas for the past five years or so. Outside of her role in The Professional, Sam is the most complex and lovable character that Portman has ever played. Peter Sarsgaard continues to prove that he is quickly rising as one of Hollywood’s best character actors as Andrew’s stoner friend Mark. Going from playing a evil rapist in Boys Don’t Cry, to out shining Harrison Ford in K19: The Widowmaker, to delivering one of the best performances of last year as Chuck Lane in Shattered Glass, Sarsgaard maintains his hot streak with a delicate and precise performance as Mark. The character itself could have easily been secluded as the questionable friend, but Sarsgaard is too good to just accept that. Sir Ian Holm has a tiny, but pivotal role as Andrew’s father, and as usual Holm’s talent and presence is undeniable. The entire cast of this film is absolutely wonderful.
It is difficult to speak so highly of a film without giving concrete examples of its creativity or quirkiness. This review has remained close knit in respect to letting audiences see all of the surprises and humor as they are told or unfolded. Garden State is a gem and one that is not to be missed.
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Garden State (2004) review written by: Bailey Henderson
6th September, 2008 
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