Garden State

Rating: 6/10 (29 November 2008)

I had absolutely no idea what the film was about or what to expect, I just hoped that it was as good as the critics make it to be. Directed by, written by and starring Scrubs' Zach Braff, he plays semi-successful TV actor Andrew 'Large' Largeman, who have shuffled through life in a lithium-induced coma, until the death of his mother, which he decides to stop taking his pills. Even without being home for 9 years, Large still can't escape his domineering father Gideon (Sir Ian Holm) and his effect from life afar. Stunned to be in his hometown after such a long absence, he is finds old acquaintances many places he goes, he does his best to keep away from his father, and by a twist of fate, Large meets Sam (Natalie Portman), everything he isn't, and becoming his sidekick as such. She gives Large the courage to really open up about his joy and pain in the abyss that is life, and thank goodness he decides not to go away in the end like he intended. Also starring Ron Leibman as Dr. Cohen, Method Man as Diego, Flightplan's Peter Sarsgaard as Mark, Jean Smart as Carol, Ann Dowd as Olivia, Denis O'Hare as Albert, Michael Weston as Kenny, Jim Parsons as Tim, Jackie Hoffman as Aunt Sylvia Largeman, Amy Ferguson as Dana and Ato Essandoh as Titembay. I can certainly see that Braff proves himself a good director as well as quite a good actor, it may not be the funniest film ever, but it is certainly worth a look. Good!