Garden State (2004)
Genre: Drama / Comedy
Duration: 102 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Zach Braff
Stars: Zach Braff, Natalie Portman and Peter Sarsgaard
IMDb score:
7,4 (228.577)
Releasedate: 28 July 2004
Garden State plot
Andrew Large (Zach Braff) returns to his family to attend his mother's funeral. He is reabsorbed into the world he had long left behind and left him depressed. He stopped taking antidepressants for a long time. This is because he meets Samantha (Natalie Portman) and she forms a more natural remedy for his gloom.
Actors and actresses
Andrew Largeman
Sam
Gideon Largeman
Mark
Carol
Jesse
Aunt Sylvia Largeman
Diego
Dave
Dr. Cohen
Reviews & comments
de grunt
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- 4338 messages
- 1577 votes
An apparently feel-good little one manages to do something that very few films in film history have succeeded so well; speak for a generation. The Graduate spoke on behalf of our parents. Garden State does this for growing twenty-somethings.
Homecoming is the theme of Garden State. Connecting with old friends. Discover the pleasures of life. Meeting the love of your life.
At the edge of a seemingly endless abyss, the three main characters scream at the tops of their lungs into a chasm. It's a moment that defines what it feels like to look out over life in the late teens. At the same time, they are on the edge of 'the grown-up life' with responsibilities and expectations.
It's Natalie Portman, who steals the show as 'Sam'. With her enchanting smile. Sam is essentially the adult version of her character from Beautiful Girls. She is in her twenties, but a 'young adult' woman. She has already proven how she can make a film much more interesting in Léon, Beautiful Girls, Closer and Black Swan. She has 'heart & soul'. She brings an intimacy to scenes that make viewing experiences of her films rare and beautiful. Bravo Natalie. In addition, Peter Sarsgaard is a pleasant find that sometimes gives the film a pleasant edge.
The music. Yes, that should not go unmentioned with this film. The choices for music for some scenes fit seamlessly and bring that 'extra experience'. Musical highlights are: Zero 7 and The Shins.
A number of scenes deserve the title of masterpiece. Garden State does exactly what is expected of movies; take some art forms and create one. It's a passionate mix of visual flair, beautiful dialogue, hip music and heartwarming pathos.
Translated from Dutch · View original
arveladze
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- 33 messages
- 2258 votes
What a pleasant surprise this movie! Superbly played by Nathalie Portman and Zach Braff. The eye for details, very nice dialogues, the choice of music at the right moments and from time to time super funny (sometimes had to laugh out loud and that doesn't happen with many films). For those who also think this is such a great movie, I recommend to watch the movie 'Safety not garanteed' as well. Also a drama/comedy that also pleasantly surprised me! A very big 4 stars for this masterpiece!
Translated from Dutch · View original
remorz
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- 2498 messages
- 2750 votes
Debut writers often want to tell 'their story': debuting director Braff also seems to want to write a personal story with Garden State. It is clever, however, that he transcends the anecdotal by making the common thread one that has universal eloquence for many growing adolescents.
Dare to trust your own voice. Open yourself up to the world around you. Facing your own past and demons and resisting them from a boundary that you can and must determine for yourself. Film Pegasus and de grunt already mention some elements above that I can underline; the good thing is that Braff has found a way to lovingly withdraw from his influences and limitations in order to prepare himself for life. After all, that is already well underway.
What has always stuck with me: when Braff explains to Portman that nostalgia is often homesick for a place that no longer exists. How telling is the later scene in the bathtub when Braff declares to feel safe, the very thing you can't lay claim to when you take your first steps towards adulthood. Beautiful.
Braff looks his demons in the eye, comes into contact with his feelings again and does everything in an equally personal audiovisual interpretation, with quirky humor for perspective. Sometimes a bit diffuse and as a whole perhaps a mishmash of finds, but always charming. Never seen his other films, but no one can take this one away from him. Just like Nathalie Portman by the way, in a role where I (after Léon) just fell in love with her for the second time. Perhaps more of a 4* film, but Braff has the gun factor with full tailwind: 4.5*
Translated from Dutch · View original
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