Stream it now Garden State 2004

 

sigh.....im still the only person i know who was let down by this movie. maybe i built it up too much from the trailer, maybe i just need to see it for the 11th time so it sets in, or maybe i am the only person in the world who suspects Zach Braff is secretly a jerk(can't put my finger on it, but there's something about that guy). All and all, each time i see it, it gets a lil worse.

Okay...not her best work.

So simple and yet so emotionally effective at the same time, with a soundtrack that told the story almost as well as the film itself.
I was impressed as this was Zach Braff's directorial debut, and disappointed that the two movies he released after this failed. Hopefully he'll bounce back.

Simply and beautifully effective for all of us who need a little inspiration. The music and quirkiness of the characters captures the essence of growing up and the need to explore the depths of ourselves, rather than giving in to the ones who bind us.

"Good luck exploring the infinite abyss."

And from that single line in Garden State, you have the sole message of this simple, short feature film. A lovable work of art released in a year of explosive creativity (2004, the year of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and I Heart Huckabees), Garden State is something I've never seen before.

Garden State tells the story of Andrew Largeman (played by Zach Braff) who returns home because his mother died. His short visitation unexpectedly turned into a magical self-discovery. Thanks to an eccentric animal lover named Sam (Natalie Portman) and a few New Jersey friends, our hero gets to feel something after all those drugs that caged his emotions in the past. Zach Braff wrote, directed and starred in this fantastic film and he's just very commendable. Just say "impressive directorial debut" and "Garden State by Zach Braff" is the first thing that comes into my mind.

Garden State has a deep message for all individuals out there. It dares us to act now for the sake of self-realization and to seek the beauty of one's life. With those artistic images wonderfully expressed and humane quirky performances (especially those of Portman and Sarsgaard), we feel motivated to stand up and shout at our own infinite abyss... wherever that may be.

Let's not forget about that beautiful Grammy-winning soundtrack. From Frou Frou's Let Go to the two versions of The Postal Service's Such Great Heights, the choice of music was wonderful. It's completely refreshing to hear beautiful beats in a film rich in emotion. The soundtrack demonstrates how beautiful the voice of the heart can be.

It largely succeeds, because it didn't require much time to be felt. Like the characters in Garden State, everyone will never stop growing, learning and loving. Along the journey, each second counts. A very very beautiful film.

An inspirational film about the importance of finding yourself and your place in the world through others. Through relatable characters, Garden State gives a sense of bittersweet reality and the truth about the trials and tribulations of life. The fine details Zach Braff focused on as a director gives this film a real vibe that makes it more than just a film; it is an invitation to someone's life. Things like the old-school motorcycle, the hamster tubes running through the house, and even the old dusty television that's covered in finger prints gives this film a sense that it isn't another Hollywood movie. It gives a feeling of home that everyone can relate to. Most importantly, this film's original soundtrack is so well-picked and well-suited for each scene. Without a doubt one of my favorite films of all time.

The character development throughout this film is unparalleled. Perfectly complimented by the brilliance of the script, and the chemistry between Zach Braff and Natalie Portman.

Great movie with such a real atmosphere. It was very funny and amusing as well as heart fell and sensible. With a great soundtrack and a little cameo from method man how could they have gone wrong?

Maybe a sentimental favorite of mine because I am from the Garden State. Save your jokes! :) Just kidding. This movie is kinda quirky and maybe it's trying to be hipster but I can't help but like the storyline. The entire movie is a statement of how "unless you allow yourself to feel the bad stuff you will never ever feel the good".
It's not an Oscar winner by any measure. But it's a well made indie that should make you think and probably be relatable on some level. I mean come on, who hasn't gone back home to see their friends that haven't quite changed or grown (as you think you have)? Who hasn't been invited to someone's home to see that while it isn't a "palace" that would be in some magazine, you still envy them for the love they seem to share inside? And, who hasn't been TERRIFIED to return to their hometown to find out that an obvious unstable friend from high school now patrols the streets as a cop? lol Ok, well you get my point.
Some dialogue seemed odd but actually was fitting to the scene. The main character is back home for his mother's funeral and is detoxing slowly off mood altering (numbing) prescription drugs. Hanging with old friends who don't seem interested in ever leaving or branching out and learning all about a new acquaintance (Portman) while there. This film has plenty of quirky characters and one hell of a soundtrack. Unless you have an aversion to Zach Braff (Scrubs) then I'd highly recommend giving it a chance. :)

It's just an amazing movie. Quirky, fun-loving. Zach Braff seems like an extrovert on Scrubs but in this movie plays a completely different role and I find playing a character people are accustomed to seeing you play in a movie weird and I find that it doesn't work. For example Nicole Kidman giving a try on Comedy (Moulin Rouge) or Jack Black playing someone a bit more serious than how we perceive him on tv (King Kong) but you know what Zach does it, he conquers it. I think I'm going to watch this movie again very soon now. You should too if you already haven't.