Zach Braff is a genius on the rise

Rating: 10/10 (3 January 2005)

The good feelings were already flowing for me even before I watched Garden State. I had heard plenty of good reviews and was expecting an amazing film.
It definitely delivered. Zach Braff, the star of the popular NBC show Scrubs, makes his breakthrough directing debut in this well written indie film. Zach, who wrote this all himself is amazingly talented. The movie itself is just very well choreographed and filmed as well. Also the soundtrack flows so well with this film, unlike anything I'd ever seen before. Also Natalie Portman gives one of her best performances of all time in this film.
In Garden State, twenty something Andrew Largeman goes back to his home state of New Jersey after receiving news of his mothers death. Andrew (Braff) hasn't returned to his hometown in 10 years after being sent off to boarding school by his parents following a dreadful accident. Filled with sorrow and confusion Andrew struggles to find himself throughout the film. Along the way he meets perky and random Sam (Portman). Sam is just what Andrew needs to pick him up. The two become friends fast and spend most of Andrew's short visit to Jersey together. The real excitement in this film is the love between these two. You know from start that they are just made for each other and its this that keeps you hooked. You'll be laughing from start to finish in this film, with its clever humor. As well as crying in parts of it, where it seems to ever so easily touch our hearts.
This film definitely delivers a great performance unlike anything I've seen in a long time. Zach Braff is definitely a genius on the rise and we should expect great things from him in the future.