Flawed Garden sprouts moving tale

Rating: 7/10 (28 November 2005)

Garden State was a decent movie but didn't live up to the hype as being "a voice for our generation" or "a modern version of The Graduate" (as written by popular critics on RottenTomatoes). Garden State is one of those films you can either relate with or not. From reading other comments, if you can relate to Garden State, you'll find the most torturous and trivial reason(s) to like it.
I have several complaints about Garden State. First, the ending was too simplistic and commercialized; your typical "chick flick" tie-all-loose-ends happy ending. In addition, the romance between the main characters seemed to have materalized suddenly from thin air. Perhaps both were psychotic and similarity bred attraction. But using craziness to justify human behavior is often a short cut to avoid substance. And finally, there was a constant whine about psychological afflictions and dysfunctional families. Sure, these concepts were the engines that drove the human drama and conflicts in Garden State. But the film grasped and lingered to it far too long and often.
Still, Zach Braff should be commended for creating a very moody and uniquely emotional ambiance. The characters were very lifelike and compelling and, mixed with excellent dialogue, you can't help but care for them. And kudos to Natalie Portman for pulling off possibly the finest performance of her illustrious career.