True to life, honesty, pain, love.

Rating: 7/10 (29 April 2006)

Garden State Truth in relationships, real people telling stories, and life in all its possibilities. The lead actor wrote the script so its no wonder he tells the story brilliantly and with conviction. We immediately understand all the characters or at least try to. We even care about them....not something you can say for all films. A movie about going home....what we all fear at some point....especially for those of us who have been away for a while. We have changed and don't want those people who know the old us to think of us in that way any more. We must go and face our fears......and only when we do that can we find the truth and grow. Some may find this film slow moving, but I like the stillness, the unspoken, the subtle....its real. Sometimes we realize, like the main character, that our parents created all our issues, fears, and blocks in our life. So we accept these and learn from them.....and try to not be that way with our children. I guess this film makes me get into the philosophy of life....so that is good. It will make you laugh, cry, and learn........ My vote is 7 out of 10.