Garden State
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Movie Reviews of Garden State
Movie Review: An Amazing Debut! The Best Film So Far This Year!
Summary: 5 Stars
Garden State is a rare film, along with Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, that comes along and makes you wonder why all movies can't be like this. It is an emotional, uplifting, zany,heartbreaking and fun ride. Zach Braff, best known for "Scrubs", stars in this film, which he also wrote and directed. It is the best debut from a director in a long time, and is an amazing film. Braff plays Andrew Largeman, an actor in LA, who flys home to New Jersey for his mother's funeral. His character is numb at first, as he has a medicine cabinet filled with lithium and zoloft, but comes out of his haze slowly, as he chose to leave his medicine behind on his trip. On his trip, he must attempt to come to terms with his mother's death, his very estranged relationship with his icy father, played expertly by Ian Holm, hang out with his old stoner friends and figure out who he is and where he is going. Natalie Portman plays Sam, a girl who meets Andrew and shows him life can be good again, as well as showing him that it is okay to feel both happiness and pain. It is a showcase role for Portman and she nails it beautifully, captivating both Braff and the audience. Peter Sarsgard also delivers as Braff's grave digging buddy, and his humor and attitude towards life give this film another interesting character. The real story of this film is Braff, who not only puts in a great performance as the movie's center, but also creates a quirky screenplay that never seems false or contrived, and develops as the movie progresses, never rushing the audience or forcing anything on the audience. He does an amazing directing job, as he never lets the camerawork overtake the story, and he creates great shots and close ups out of normal things, like background wallpaper and a doctor's waiting room. He also lets his actors work and work well, as they all deliver great performances under his direction. The cinematography and musical selections are also first-rate and make this a must see for anyone who appreciates great films and great story-telling. Garden State is an amazing achievement in film-making and an Oscar-worthy film.Movie Review: Fantastic Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
You ever have one of those "wow" moments after a movie? You know, the final scene darkens, the credits roll, and you just sit there thinking. It's like a good song or a good book: you just feel satisfied when it's over. Garden State gives you one of those moments.
One of the best things about it is that it's nothing like any movie you'll ever see. It's not a movie where you can coherently answer the question, "What's it about?" because the plot doesn't follow the average story line. I guess you could say that Garden State is about people. It's a love story of the highest sort. Not only between a man and a woman, but between a man and himself. It's the story of the most significant journey in a man's life--the journey home.
What really makes this movie stand apart from others is the writing. Zach Braff, who also directed and starred in the film, brilliantly crafted a screenplay that both connects you with the characters and allows you to examine your own life in their context. However, it wasn't brooding or dark in the least. In fact, you often laugh despite yourself throughout.
This is due only in part to the writing, as the acting is also superb. Braff really develops his character (Andrew) as the movie progresses. Natalie Portman shines as the quirky, lovable Samantha who absolutely transforms Andrew's life. All of the other characters are relatively minor in comparison, but they're all well played and accent the depth of Braff's character.
The soundtrack also gets an honorable mention. Featuring Colin Hay, Nick Drake, Iron & Wine, Simon & Garfunkel, and the Shins (among others), the soundtrack is more than just background music. It adds to the mood and meaning of the movie. If my life had a soundtrack, and I wish it did, I'd want it to be this one.
A number of characters in Garden State talk about doing something unique, something like nobody else has ever done. Zach Braff has in creating this movie.
Best quote: "Maybe that's all family really is. A group of people who miss the same imaginary place."
Movie Review: Coming to Life Story
Summary: 5 Stars
Another reviewer called this a "coming of age" story. I think it's a coming-to-life story....something that some people never do, at any age. I've read the staggering statisics of the number of people on medication, legal and illegal in our fair land, and it's not a pretty fact. To reduce the film to it's basic message: it's better to face the pain of life--that's where the joy is. But it's so much more than a message film.
This is a deceptively simple story but it's so wise and so well told that it really touches the heart. I don't have TV so I didn't know who Zach Braff was. Now I do! I will look for his work in the future.
I won't re-tell the story because it's been told enough times here.
I just want to add my applause to the others'. Braff very skillfully walks the line between humour and pathos. His character has been likened to that of Dustin Hoffman in "The Graduate" but I think this is much better. The whole cast is super. It was great to see the wonderful Jean Smart in a small role, as the mom of his grave-robbing buddy. Ian Holm plays his father, an unsympathetic character, in a very human way that does give the viewer the glimpse of a fundamentally decent man who is as lost in the events of his life as everyone else.
Much of the joy and magic of the film goes to Natalie Portman who plays the wonderfully screwy epileptic girl, Sam, who helps the Braff character come back to life. The role is well written but it could have been butchered in the hands of a lesser actress. I just saw her in "The Other Boleyn Girl" where I didn't much like her, so I was amazed at how good she was here. Her naturalness really made the character touch your heart. This is the sign of a good actress and good direction.
There's more I could say but there are a lot of excellent reviews here. I predict this film will become a classic, 'cuz it has such enduring qualities of real humanity, humour, wisdom and warmth. My favorite scene: the family watching the video of Sam ice-skating in her alligator outfit---so dear!
Movie Review: A Shock!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had never heard of that movie until recently, and I had no idea that it was both written and directed by Zach Braff. Within about 10 minutes into the movie, I knew that whomever directed this was definitely talented, and whomever had written it was equally talented. By the end of the movie and the credits, I realised who was behind all this, and I was surprised. I like Zach Braff very much for his acting, but until then it was unknown to me that the guy was so gifted behind a camera and a pen.
Even though the main plot is relatively simple, this movie has truly compelling bits of weirdness and oddities. If you're into details, you'll probably love this film as much as I do; not a second of this movie is a bore, and I'm still amazed at the tireless richness of it. The direction is splendid and the substance is pure, not to mention the soundtrack which lets you know that someone is a tasteful listener of music (that being Mr. Braff, again).
Natalie Portman is absolutely stunning in this movie. She blew my mind. I guess that seeing her as queen Amidala in Star Wars made me think she wasn't anything special as an actress, but in "Garden State", her true potential comes out shining and exploding. She truly is amazing and talented; that film totally changed my perception of her as an actress, now I know she is genuinely good. So is Braff; and the two together - well they're just a fantastic pair.
Compared to most movies, this one comes as a breath of fresh air. It's inspiring too because it does so much with "so little"; for as I said before, the details here matter. To name but a few: silent velcro, skating alligators, epilepsy security helmet, house-boat, etc.
I can't recommend this movie enough. And I can't wait for more work from Zach Braff, who I now know is very promising as a director and writer. Honestly, I put very much hope in him. I didn't see it in 2004, but if you have to see two movies from that year, they would have to be "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Garden State".
A must see.
Movie Review: Let Go. Jump In. There is Beauty in the Breakdown
Summary: 5 Stars
This is truly one the best films I have ever seen. Ever! It's a story about living the hand you are dealt in life without waiting in line for a better one to come by for that that may never happen. It's also about letting go and fully living life with all its pain, joy, sorrow, triumph and disappointment and appreciating the fact that being alive is in and of itself a blessing. I know that sounds corny, but Garden State presents this rather trite concept with captivating, funny characters and a superb soundtrack that makes it all so fresh and poignant again. Trust me, you will be amazed as of how refreshingly inspiring this film is!
This is Zach Braff's (J.D. on Scrubs) baby. He wrote, directed, handpicked the soundtrack, and starred in this film. Needless to say, I thought he did an incredible job considering this is his directorial debut. I mean, wow! Garden State is extremely complex, multilayered drama with equally palpable pain and humor. It's a huge beast to tackle for experienced filmmakers, let alone first timers. Kudos for creating a Classic, Zach!
Natalie Portman delivered a performance of a lifetime. She has to win an Oscar for this role! She made me laugh so hard and almost made me bawl toward the end (don't worry, the film has a great, happy, somewhat predictable ending, but that's beside the point.) I will be totally bummed if she doesn't win an Oscar for this role!
I can't review this film without saying a word or two about its soundtrack. This is the best song compilation reflecting the mood and message of its film since The Graduate's. Absolutely incredible and a must-have! Coldplay, Zero 7, The Shins and Frou Frou are some of the artists featured on this ultimate chillout compilation of 2004. I have Frou Frou's "Let Go" on constant repeat. I can't get enough of its haunting, fragile mood that serves as a reminder of my own fragility in a life that needs to be fully lived and not sleepwalked.
Go see it! You have to see it!