It has its bad spots, but it's well-done for Zach's first movie.

Rating: 8/10 (14 August 2007)

Most of the comments here are either glowing praise or rants about how horrible it is. I agree with some people that Garden State had a few slow spots, as well as things that just didn't work, but I doubt most people could have done so well on directing their first movie.
You definitely can't turn your brain off during Garden State--otherwise it will be VERY boring for you. The humor here is not "Haha, look at that!", and likewise the romance isn't "Oh, how sweet," unless you count the end. I've tried to just *watch* Garden State, and usually half the movie goes by before I realize it. It probably isn't a realistic view of New Jersey, either, but I have to admit that "Garden State" just sounds better than "Large's Arc" (the original title Braff wanted).
This movie is not for those who need a break from life or thinking, and I think that's the problem with most moviegoers today. They think movies have to be absolutely spectacular in some way, and then they watch Garden State and go "That's it?" because at the end, Large stays there at the airport with Sam. But there's no epilogue showing them married with kids, or Large making millions off his latest movie. The movie's ended, but we don't know what happens next.
So yes, that's it. Garden State's not mind-blowing or spectacular or tearfully poignant--it just IS, and I can live with that.