"Garden State" is on the IMDB's top all time list at #186. Not that it means very much to most people, it's still pretty impressive for a small independent movie like this. It could actually be said that it deserves to be higher (much higher) as this is a fantastic film that just seems to cop out at the end.
Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff) hasn't been home in years. Finally drawn back due to his mother's death, he rekindles a few friendships and starts a new one. This one, with a young epileptic named Sam (Natalie Portman), will change him forever.
It's very hard to describe just what draws you into "Garden State." It's a simple movie that basically follows a few days in the lives of two people. While things do start off a little rough, once the two leads meet, you won't move. You instantly become focused on every word they say and laugh at comedy that you really have to be paying attention to get some times.
Not a single conversation in this film is wasted. Everything has a purpose and it's important to listen to everything in order to really grasp what's going on. The characters build off each other, providing their back-stories via totally realistic and natural conversation. It makes the movie.
If you don't find yourself relating to any of the characters, then surely the way everything is portrayed will. Portman is in top form here, definitely one of the best young actresses we have right now. Braff does double duty as both a director and actor, doing a fantastic job as both. Everything is meticulously composed for solid impact when needed. Even if you don't understand cinematography, it's not hard to figure out just how great some of these scenes look.
Sadly, the film climaxes with the predictable Hollywood ending. When everything else just seems so normal, the ending just seems tacked on to keep everyone in the audience happy. There's little doubt there's an alternate ending somewhere. Still, this is a must see film that deserves every award and piece of critical praise it can garner. Just see it to really understand. (***** out of *****)
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