MOVIE REVIEW: Garden State
Nine years after Andrew Largeman's departure from the Garden State to pursue an acting career in the City of Angels, he receives a phone call from his estranged father telling him of his mother passing, which results in his return to the state that he had long forgotten about (or at least tried to). Before leaving for New Jersey, Andrew decides to abandon his antidepressant medication (which he has been devouring since he was a young child). With no pills in his system to control his emotions, he attempts to discover who he is as a person and essentially discover his feelings, as well. Upon arrival to Jersey, Andrew gets reunited with some of his High School buddies and realizes that they are all fantasizing about making it big while doing absolutely nothing with their lives (except get high, drunk and laid, on occassion). He also meets his super-quirky love interest played by the equally as quirky Natalie Portman, while waiting at the doctor's office.
'Garden State' is simply soothing to the soul. It is mellow look at a person's coming-of-age without feeling forced or overly preachy. The soundtrack adds to the calmness of the film and I cannot imagine the movie without Frou Frou or Simon and Garfunkel leading us through it. You also cannot help but fall in love with the soft-spoken and sarcastic Zach Braff, who does an amazing job portraying someone so melancholy yet so sweet. Natalie Portman, on the other hand, is nothing but a compulsive liar who is as hyper as a five-year-old child on top of a ten foot chocolate cake. While at times what she says is relevant to the film, the other times you just want to knock her upside the head for lying, and not acting her age – whatever it may be.
Either way, this film makes you think about life and how much of it we waste on planning our success stories instead of actually pursuing them, and how much of it we spend attempting to find ourselves instead of actually searching. It’s a sweet romantic movie with a twist of fresh humor and a kick ass soundtrack, to boot.
Best performance: Zach Braff - hands down. This guy not only wrote this film, but directed it and even decided to take the leading role. Who knew that guy from 'Scrubs' who kinda-sorta looks like Ray Ramono could write a coming-of-age movie that has touched so many people? Plus, he’s easy on the eyes, or maybe I just have weird taste.
Why see this movie in a nutshell? 'Garden State' is a feel-good movie that with the likes of 'Little Miss Sunshine' and 'Juno' will put a smile on your face. The characters are relatable and I guarantee even if Portman annoys you, you will still find something in her that will remind you of a familiar person in your life (even if that person is you).
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