Garden State
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Movie Reviews of Garden State
Movie Review: A film that will not speak to everyone.....
Summary: 5 Stars
But it does to speak to many 20 something year olds. Of course, as with anything that has people's opinions, not everyone will like it.
I've read many reviews of the film, that were clearly written by older folks who were looking for something other than what the film is about. Some complain that the story between Andrew and his father only plays a minor role- this makes me think, did they miss the whole point of this movie? It's not about father-son relationships, it's not even about a love interest. The film, IMO, is about the feeling of being lost and having no direction, looking for a way to find home.
The protagonist is Andrew Largeman, a overly medicated 20 something year old, who lives a life of aimlessly going from day to day. You know, kind of like when your days just start blurring between each other, because it's the same old routine. Many of us have felt that, especially after we are done with college and try to find a job we'll like. We usually start on jobs that are so mindlessly boring, that we just go through the motions day, after day.
Andrew's life is about to change though, as he gets news of the death of his mother, prompting his return to New Jersey. He returns home and has awkward interactions with his family, especially his father. This made sense to me, since my relationship with my own father is awkward, so much so that I really can't talk to him except to say hello and a few small words of small talk; imagine how weird it felt for Largeman, who harbors a reasonable hate for his father, which will be further explained as the movie goes on.
Many will dimiss the rest of the movie as a aimless jump from one scene to another, but then, they are also missing the point. It serves to remember, for those of you who've gone away to college to come back 4 years later.........how weird it felt, and how out of place one feels as one tries to reconnect with old friends; how we wander around, going from one friend's house to the next.
The love story itself is not so much real, but more of a wish. Every 20 something has the dream of meeting that special someone; she's interesting, she's funny, she's beautiful, and she makes the first move by talking to us. Yes, it's our fantasy that gets played out in this film, and many older folks will fail to see it, and just think of it as a cop-out when it gets to fruition in the end.
In the end, I don't think many people over the age of 30 will ultimately enjoy this film as much as someone younger, mostly because they most likely already have their lives together. For many 20 somethings, we are still looking for our own family and home, as the moving quote from the movies goes "maybe family is just a bunch of people who miss the same imaginary place."
It helps to think back to the feeling you get, after you finish college and come "home." Something doesn't feel right, you can't really place your finger on it, but even though you still love your parents, their home is no longer your home. Your parent's home is not what you imagine your home is anymore, but rather, you beging to imagine a home of your own, with another person who imagines the same home you do.
Movie Review: Beauty in the Breakdown
Summary: 5 Stars
I told my friend as we were walking out of the theater that it was an A- movie. After sitting with it for a few hours I have upgraded it to an A. Many movies suffer from giving away too much in the trailers. Why do I want to see a movie when I can predict everything that is going to happen? This movie, however, suffers a bit from the opposite. There has never been a trailer that has sucked me in the way that one did. It was so visually appealing and left so much to the imagination. I imagine that any movie that fits around those beautiful scenes is going to be somewhat disappointing. However, the extremely high expectations that I had going in were met for the most part.
Garden State, like great movies before it such as High Fidelity and Beautiful Girls, wrestles with accepting a flawed reality rather then searching for a non-existing fantasy. This movie took this a step further I believe. It asks it's charactors to embrace reality rather then simply accepting it. I would like to quote Nat's charactor Sam, but having only seen the movie once, I would butcher the line. She encourages Largeman to be able to laugh at himself. The other main charactor Mark says that He is "okay with being unimpressive". We don't know if he believes himself or not, but he is only 26 and in no hurry to figure it out. This theme runs through all the charactor, young and old and I found it to be well done.
Much of the story revolves around Largeman and Sam, with frequent appearance from Largeman's friend Mark. I have found with movies similar to this one, the charactors are much more important to my enjoyment of the film then the story is. I thought Zach Braff did a great job of creating these charactors and the acting was outstanding. The dynamic between Sam and Large was great. Two complex charactor finding their way into each other's lives. I found the charactor of Mark to be quite intriguing. He was likable and dislikable at the same time. The real winner here was Natalie Portman's, Samantha. This is what we knew she was capable of when we watched Beautiful Girls, before George Lucas got ahold of her. Her charactor was funny and sweet and fragile and just all around beautiful. Zach Braff wrote a great charactor and Portman really pulled it off.
This movie has a lot of great moments, but It didn't have one moment for me when I knew I would love this movie for a long time. That is what may keep this movie out of my top three. There are a lot of great moments, but just not that one for me. The movie also didn't have a slow moment for me either. Some other movies like Eternal Sunshine or Lost in Translation that I really liked had portions of the movie that dragged. I didn't get that with Garden State though. The movie moved from really funny moments to really beautiful moments with with ease.
All in all, a very impressive debut from a young and talented film maker. I am a bit biased because I may be the biggest Scrubs fan out there, but I give this movie an A and look forward to more from Zach Braff and Natalie Portman in the future.
Movie Review: Infinitely Wonderful - Bravo, Mr. Braff
Summary: 5 Stars
There have been many reviews here which have given the blow-by-blow of the plot behind the movie. They have focused upon Andrew Largeman's return to his hometown following the death of his mother and his short journey back to himself and the people and circumstances that shook up his life and set him in a direction that will bring him from being numb to feeling life again for the first time in many years.
Yes - this is a big part of the film.
AND what delighted me more than the plot was the artistry that was exhibited in the story telling. Actors filled supporting roles and cameo roles with incredible intensity and flavor, take Jean Smart, who played the mother of one of Andrew Largeman's best friends from his home town who now spends his time taking hits from a bong while at home and digging graves while at work.
The role of Andrew's father, a Psychiatrist who has medicated his son into a no-feeling state for year-after-year-after-year was admirably played by Ian Holm.
There was a woman who sang at the mother's funeral who was SOOOO New Jersey I was amazed: I am not sure of her name but I did love her moments on stage.
I was completely wrapped up in the storytelling - I wondered about the metaphors unfolding (such as one with Andrew and Sam sitting on a staircase at an airport with an escalator constantly in motion behind them.) I wondered: was that on purpose, about movement and life and being stuck in life or am I putting WAYYYY too much into this?
I loved watching Andrew come back to life - when talking to his father he said, "I was a little boy and some one made a sh*tty latch" - and that latch defined the intervening years of his life and now, now NOW he was choosing differently.
I adored "meeting" Sam with all her beloved eccentricities - she reminded me of what I imagine my youngest daughter will become - I had to have my eight-year-old daughter watch the scene where Andrew "witnessed a completely original moment" and I wondered what would happen if we each became conscious of creating completely original moments?
And then there was the surprising geological find... in Newark, NJ and another line I will carry with me forever - "Have fun exploring the infinite abyss" and exactly the perfect response, "You, too."
He could have been speaking to you - or me - or your neighbor, your best friend.
I was moved to tears when Andrew began to parent his father, "We have to work on being OK" not to fabricate that we were happy. Very powerful. What if we all worked on being OK?
Zach Braff was incredible - goofy smile and all. Natalie Portman did an incredibly subtle and believable New Jersey accent....(I grew up in NJ, whether or not it makes me an expert is up for question, I suppose.)
This movie, obviously, will stick with me. I hope you will watch it with your heart and mind wide open... and enjoy exploring the infinite abyss.
Movie Review: Best Film of the Year
Summary: 5 Stars
The only word I can come up with to describe "Garden State" is "incredible." Of course I am biased because I am a huge Natalie Portman fan, but I think this is the best work she's done since "The Professional." I am a Star Wars fan as well, but I have not seen ANY movie since "The Professional" that has showcased Natalie's talent.
I was also amazed by Zach Braff's outstanding role, as both writer, director, and actor. The screenplay was awesome as was the directing. It was a fantastic portrayal of a dark comedy. And Zach kept my attention throughout the whole movie. His character was numb and understated, yet intense and full of angst. He made me feel as if I were right there, in his shoes. He played the role of a confused, frustrated, lost individual superbly; it was impossible not to sympathize with him. He just drew me in.
As far as Natalie's performance, every time she was on the screen I was anticipating what crazy, quirky antics she would do next. Her presence in the movie gave it a lightness and breath of fresh air during her every scene. I didn't see her as Natalie Portman trying to play a Padme in the "Star Wars" trilogy or the pregnant Wal-Mart girl in "Where The Heart Is" Here, she wasn't trying at all. To me she was Sam the whole time.
The chemistry between Andrew and Sam was also wonderful. They played really well off of each other. I felt a "realness" to their interactions, from Andrew being uncomfortable around Sam and her oddities to him seeing these oddities as traits he started to adore. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop as the movie progressed; not at all like a non-traditional boy-meets-girl kind of way. I loved the way they met each other; just the way Sam nonchalantly went right up to Andrew and started talking to him; opening up to him right away. This scene introduced who was immediately. Of course there were still things to learn about her, but we knew what the core of her personality was like; self-confident outgoing, and she put it all out there for Andrew (and us) to see...so refreshing!
As for the back story of Andrew's friends and family, it lent some understanding of Andrew's past as well as his present. I felt it was a necessary part of the movie, as it helped make more sense out of Andrew's life prior to where the movie began. Basically, this aspect of the movie showcased why Andrew was the way he was.
I cried, I laughed inside, I smiled, I felt happy, I felt sad, I felt empathetic, I cried some more, and most of all I felt satisfied. This was one of those movies where you could not predict what was going to happen next, even though I've seen the trailer 100 times; it was not predictable like so many other movies. Each scene of the movie, right up to the ending, was unpredictable, heartwarming, and moving. I could not take my eyes off of this movie; I was "in it." And have added it to my list of top ten movies of all time. It really touched me and "changed my life."
Jessica
Movie Review: a simple little love story
Summary: 5 Stars
9.6 THE FILM ITSELF
8.1 VISUALS
9.5 SOUND
8.5 PACKAGING
7.5 EXTRAS
Let's state the facts: This is not Zach Braff from Scrubs. On that show, he plays J.D., here he plays Andrew Largeman. They're two entirely different characters and these are two entirely different comedies. They may both have heart, jokes and serious moments, but I know some people will just not accept that Zach Braff has made a (mostly) serious film that centers around a man finally learning to feel.
All I'll say to the plot is simply that Andrew Largeman (Braff) comes home from L.A. after a family accident, and while home he spends time with some new and old people from his past. And his time spent with these people allow him to begin to feel again (that and leaving his medication at home helps) and be a whole person. Sounds heavy, does it? Well, it is. But there is also some great humor here. But again, not Scrubs humor at all, but humor on a completely different level, and it's genious.
8.1 VISUALS
For being a low-budget indie flick, it certainly doesn't look the part. Granted, the film is just focusing on people, very little special effects and this is certainly not an action film at all, but the nice mixture of colors makes for an enjoyable visual.
9.5 SOUND
Garden State boasts one of the best soundtrack in film history. It's not just me saying that, Braff won a Grammy for his stellar selection of tunes here. And it really makes the film that much more enjoyable.
8.5 PACKAGING
Arriving to DVD in a standard case, I love the cover and the quiet main menu with a great song. Options are easy to read and the screen is easy to navigate and really prepares you for the film.
7.5 EXTRAS
Garden State comes with two commentaries. Both have Braff, and one is just him and Natalie Portman. Both are pretty good and Braff offers some great dialogue and some hilarious stories about filming. The other commentary is very detailed based on making the film.
16 Deleted scenes with optional commentary are also included. Total time for deleted scenes is about 42 minutes and some of them are pretty great. Commentary isn't really necessary.
"The Making of Garden State" is a short look at the behind the scenes of the film, lightly touching on topics such as the boat and the pool. Some characters and creators make comments about the filming.
"Outtakes / Bloopers" round out the set. There's not much here, but decent nonetheless.
FINAL VERDICT
Garden State is essentially a simple love story. But, it's so much more than that. Girls will be able to fall in love with the simple tale, but guys will also be able to enjoy it without having the love story slammed down their throats. The commentaries are also a fun listen and are the most enjoyable of the special features.
9.2/10 "OUTSTANDING"