I don't like it.

Rating: 1/10 (30 July 2004)

Didn't like it. Saw it awhile ago. Falls apart in the last act. Like all
of the sudden Zach Braff realizes he has nothing to say. I've heard
it described as "a college film on steroids" which I agree with
100%. Natalie Portman is a goddess. She and Peter Sarsgaard
are highlights as are some wonderfully bizarre moments which
prompt laughter. But please... don't show me how beautiful and
achingly well-shot 20-something anhedonia is. I'm living through it
and it sucks. It hurts. People are destroying themselves and Zach
Braff wants to show off how clever and funny he is and what great
taste in music he has. He's trying to express the malaise of our
generation from the point of view of a privileged upper class drug
addled college grad which is FINE but he never shows any real
pain or ugliness. Sure there are upsetting situations for the
characters but they seem absent-mindedly tacked on. Like Natalie
Portman's epilepsy or pathologically lying. Introduced to make us
feel something for her and then DROPPED COMPLETELY. Real
problems make cameos but are ultimately sacrificed for stylized
ennui. I DO NOT LIKE THIS MOVIE. It represents everything I hate.