Well worth the wait.

Rating: 10/10 (20 August 2004)

All I wanted for my birthday was Garden State day. A day I had been waiting for since I discovered the movie was in the works. A day where I could go and watch the movie as many times as I wanted. A day so many others in more populous areas had experienced. A day I thought would never come.
Today was that day.
I was terrified that I had expectations the movie couldn't live up to. But I was wrong, and the movie exceeded everything I imagined. As a writer, I firmly believe that good movies start with a great script. Garden State was written so well I actually forgot I was watching a movie. It was that fluid, everything down to the eerily real dialogue. Nothing seemed abrupt or out of place, even if it was completely abrupt and out of place. It was amazingly well shot, the camera angles and pans fit so well. The point of view and top hat shots added that extra something most movies miss. The mood was completely changed by the music, which didn't seem like a soundtrack as much as another character in the film. The cast was amazing. Zach Braff showed he doesn't have to be the funny guy, Natalie Portman's performance blew me away (which wasn't a surprise) and Peter Sarsgaard played the not-so-nice friend almost too well.
All of these elements (and quite a few more) combined to make an amazing movie. A movie that has heart, that can make you laugh, can make you cry. A movie that makes you think and gives you hope. A movie that is a completely original moment.