oiltrader The only thing that is amiss with this movie is the pacing, but I guess it was part of tone and setting the movie needed.A touching romantic escapade for Portman and Braff. Refreshingly candid with a hitn of irony and even cynicism.All in a great effort and the chemistry between the two leads is tangible.

rooprect "Garden State" has a very specific brand of humor that not everyone is going to get immediately. But as writer/director/star Zach Braff says in the bonus interview, "Is it funny? {Interviewer says yeah} Good. I never know if anyone else is going to find them funny. If nothing else, I'm making a movie that I'll enjoy."And that's why this movie works. In comedy, the worst thing you can do is try too hard to be funny. "Garden State" falls squarely in subtle, almost deadpan territory... meaning there aren't any big sight gags, slapstick or knockout punchlines. In that respect I'd put it in the genre of "movies like Bill Murray would act in" except there's no Bill Murray. I'm referring to flicks like Coffee & Cigarettes, Rushmore, Royal Tenenbaums, Life Aquatic, which is essentially saying it's like a Wes Anderson film, or maybe Terry Zwigoff (Ghost World, Art School Confidential). There's a lot of visual storytelling, as in quirky symmetrical shots, stationary cameras on meticulously arranged sets, or a surreal vibe punctated by the camera slowly rising into the sky.The story is something like famed French existentialist Albert Camus would write if he did comedy. A late-20s, emotionless, estranged son (Zach Braff) returns to his hometown to bury his mother. He seems devoid of all sentimentality as he wanders around meeting all sorts of crazy (and I mean crazy) characters from his past. Whether he's being nearly shot to death by an overenthusiastic cop, or molested by a hot blonde at a party, his range of emotion barely budges between bored and slightly perplexed. Then he meets his antithesis, a 20-something girl (Natalie Portman) whose range of emotion is somewhere between very amused and insanely happy.It's the delightful contrast between these 2 characters, and their great on-screen chemistry, that turns an otherwise brooding sarcastic comedy into a really entertaining treat.Another thing that really defines this film is the way every character, even the minor ones who only have 1 scene, are so bizarre and interesting that you feel like an entire movie spinoff could be made of each one. These characters include: 1) the grave digger who makes his real living by doing questionable things at the hardware store; 2) the grave digger's hot mom who is sleeping with her son's sworn enemy from high school; 3) the kid who got rich from inventing "silent velcro" and who now spends his time doing absolutely nothing; 4) the West African immigrant who is studying criminal justice and is obsessed with figuring out which dog is pissing on his phone; 5) the strange "Guardian of the Abyss" whom I won't spoil for you; and the list goes on.The second half of the story focuses on a bizarre suburban quest the 3 main characters undertake, almost like in "Stand by Me" but with grownups and maybe a pornographic peepshow or two (btw the location of the climactic scene, "Kiernan's Quarry", is a real place--or at least it was until it got filled in & converted to condos a few years ago).But as strange and nonsensical as it sounds, these are in fact "true stories from suburbia" as Zach Braff says. The entire film is a compilation of stories that happened to him and others in his small Jersey town growing up. "Garden State" has a magical way of bringing these seemingly random vignettes to our attention, making us understand the epic nature of obscurity.So no, there may not be crazy car chases, bank heists or wacky jewel capers (...oh wait, actually there sorta is 1 wacky jewel caper), this film delivers a really entertaining ride from start to finish.

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.

Jorn Truyen Zach Braff's light-hearted directorial debut 'Garden State' was one of mixed feelings. Although the low budget comedy-drama may be the starting shot of a successful career, 'Garden State' left me feeling slightly disappointed, when I think about the movie that could have been.Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff) is a young man with a scarred past, who has numbed his problems with an always full medicine cabinet. As a kid, he paralysed his mother by pushing her over a dish washer. His father has always blamed Andrew, while he himself claims it was just due to the broken latch. He now returns to New Jersey for his mother's funeral. During his return, he develops a relationship with the spontaneous, talkative Sam (Natalie Portman).Sam is the most interesting character in the film, wherein Portman shows she is more than just a pretty face. She creates a layered character with a complicated but likable personality, whereas to my mind Braff's numbness and quirkiness is more difficult to like. Braff's directorial choices are certainly not bad for a first-timer. His style is effective in portraying the character quirks of Andrew. While a director like Kar Wai Wong often uses slow-motion shots, Braff sometimes focuses on Andrews character and speeds up everything around him. As to the film's script, there are bright moments, but unfortunately, sometimes it lapses into force-fed Hollywood romanticism.Nevertheless, I can appreciate the light-heartedness of the film and the "Graduatesque" relationship is interesting to an extent. However, the word 'forced' lingered in my head throughout the film. Granted, it is a good soundtrack, but the emotionality of the movie seems to force itself upon us by the use and timing of the songs.