Numb and dumber

Rating: 4/10 (22 February 2005)

American independent cinema has always played an important role in the shaping of the future of cinema itself. But in the last few years, the major studios have attracted talent much earlier and have been more open to experiment than before, because movies with only a simple formula are losing out and the population as a whole demands more 'intelligent' movies. As a result a decline in the quality and diversity of indies can be observed. Even stronger: independent cinema itself is becoming a clichéd affair; Garden State is just proof of that.
On the first level we have the simple story of a young man returning to his home state and coming to grips with past and present. All the clichés are nicely presented (hey, there's even a love story!) but there are also hints of originality (the wallpaper scene, the certificates on the wall). And in presenting some unfamiliar worlds Garden State becomes downright interesting: e.g. a dysfunctional functional family, the hotel scene.
The problem is on the second level: in referring to some current state of mind of characters or important aspect of the story Braff uses very simple direct references. So, when Andrew is on the brink of a choice he puts him on the edge of an abyss, when he is thinking about leaving his girlfriend he goes up the stairways leaving her on an equal level, etc.
What saves Garden State from becoming a disaster are two very good actors: Ian Holm and Natalie Portman. Their subtle and layered performances are worth the admission price alone.