Changed my life!

Rating: 10/10 (23 January 2006)

Before I start to describe why this is now my favorite movie, I would like to say that Zach Braff has created a story nothing short of brilliant. He has been able to create characters that anyone can relate to. There are no flaws! The story starts with a man in his 20's living in LA named Andrew Largeman (Braff) discovering that his paraplegic(in a wheelchair) mother has just drowned in the bathtub of his parent's New Jersey home.
Now, he has flown to New Jersey to attend his funeral only to find himself emotionally numb. After the funeral, he meets his deadbeat high school friend Mark (Peter Sarsgaard) who invites him to a party.
At the party, Andrew finds himself completely surrounded by these drug addict friends he has and feels very lonely and uncomfortable The next day, Andrew wakes up in Mark's home. He has a very awkward breakfast with Mark, his mother, and a man who works as a knight at Medieval Times and dates Mark's Mom. Mark is infuriated and makes the new man leave the house. After the meal, Andrew, Mark, and his mother are sitting in a very sloppy room talking about Mark's lack of applying himself. Mark later tells Andrew about his want to not be rushed by anyone.
Andrew then goes to a doctor to get his 'lightning' headaches checked. This is where he meets Sam(Natalie Portman), a young woman who offers Andrew advice on getting a dog off of his leg. Andrew immediately likes the free-spirited girl. When he finishes his appointment, Sam is waiting outside to ask him for a ride.
When they arrive at Sam's home, she invites him in and tells him of her family and why she feels so comfortable at home. They go into a (rather large) pet cemetery that Sam has and bury her hamster. Andrew tells Sam about his dead mother, leaving Sam sorry for putting him in another funeral.
Now on Sam and Andrew's first date, they go out to a bar and tell each other about their perspective on the pains in life. Mark walks into the bar and invites them to a party at his rich friend's house.
When they are there, Andrew tells Sam about what he believes home really is(a bunch of people who miss the same imaginary place).
Later that night, Andrew reveals that it is his fault for his mother being in the wheelchair. He says that he pushed her because she was never happy and the broken dishwasher latch allowed the door to open and his mom to fall and become paralyzed.
The next morning, Mark takes Andrew and Sam to find Andrew's going-away present. After a trio of odd events, Andrew begins to realize the importance of living life happily.
Now, ready to go back to LA, Andrew goes to the airport with a grieving Sam. When he boards the plain, he,for the first time in his life, does something spontaneous and stays in New Jersey with Sam.
The End Many people think I am to young to respond to this movie at 13, but I think it is only a state of mind you need to take this movie as a life changer.
The acting in this movie is unbelievable. Zach Braff trying drama has succeeded in acting through his transformation. Natalie Portman( in just one more of her unforgettable roles) is amazing at knowing how to handle life, despite its problems. Peter Sarsgaard is great at acting and still shows it by not wanting his life to change and for him just to be able to remain the same. He is very serious about everything involved in his life, but still has a sense of humor about it. And finally I would like to note Ian Holm's stunning performance as Andrew's father just trying to make everyone happy.
I will always remember Zach Braff's witty and amazing writing, direction, and acting in this film. It is perfect.
P.S. Zach Braff also chose all of the songs in the movie and showed that he can pick the perfect tone to use for each scene.