one of my favorite films of 2004

Rating: 9/10 (16 July 2005)

In one of my favorite films of 2004, Zach Braff (Televisions Scrubs) writes, directs and stars in Garden State. Braff is Andrew Largeman, an unsuccessful actor who returns home to New Jersey for his mother's funeral. A childhood accident, in which he paralyzed his mother, has his psychiatrist father (Ian Holm) keep him heavily medicated. An emotionally closed off young man, he reunites with childhood friends and family as he takes a "vacation" from the sedated and secluded life he leads in Hollywood.
Braff shows great promise as one of the up and coming storytellers in the business today. He has a great eye for symbolism which can be easily compared to legendary Mike Nichols, whose projects include The Graduate and Closer.
This "dramedy" has so many scenes that can either bring a smile to your face or a tear to your eye. With the aid of an all-star cast, which includes Natalie Portman and Peter Sarsgaard, Braff pulls off a low budget success that will bring back memories of Benjamin Braddock from The Graduate. Putting so much on line, primarily his name, Braff shows great versatility which pays off in this funny drama.