Not your average film

Rating: Null/10 (30 June 2004)

Garden State, Zach Braff's freshman hyphenated outing (writer-director-star), explores the complicated experiences of being disconnected and reconnected in places and ways we don't expect. Bigger than a baby's fist but smaller than a breadbox, the film aspires to (and largely achieves) high production values without compromising its unusual storytelling style and colorful characters. I find this combination rather rare - and refreshing - in US films.
Natalie Portman is luminous. Her portrayal of Sam is touching, funny, and truly the work of an actress coming into the strengths we've always believed she had.
The rest of the supporting cast is more than serviceable, populating the film with quirks both familiar and discomfiting but always real and drawn from the heart.
If you like to think a little while munching your popcorn, I'd recommend this film. While there are definite tell-tale signs of both a first-time writer and a first-time director (and worse, the combination of writer-director-actor wherein some checks and balances are removed), the film nonetheless delivers a solid movie-going experience. Congrats to the team who delivered it to us!