Basically this film really touched me...

Rating: 10/10 (19 June 2005)

Genre: Off-beat drama / subtle comedy.
This is my favourite film so far in life.
It was released in November last year (on limited release in the UK) which meant that not many people got to see it. However I did and it grabbed me in a way no other film ever has.
http://www2.foxsearchlight.com/gardenstate I recommend you load this web-site first and have the music from it play in the background. Full surround-sound experience yo.
Written and directed by Zach Braff (J.D in 'Scrubs') is a story about protagonist Andrew Largeman or 'Large' (played by Braff) and the few days he spends at home after making a decision to stop taking Lithium (for which he was prescribed to help cure depression which he was diagnosed at age 9).
He returns to his home town after 9 years for his mother's funeral and decides to stop taking the drug as he feels it is doing him no good being 'mentally numb'. Soon he meets 'Sam' (Natalie Portman) and begins to find in her what he's always been looking for. To me, Sam is a very insightful and interesting character and an absolute characteristic contrast to Largeman.
I love the fact that they got a beautiful girl to play this character. Sure it's Natalie Portman and therefore there's a large fan base there (big box-office bonus), but it also shows how everybody (no matter their appearance) is allowed to be an amazing person and not some 'bimbo' as is so commonly portrayed in modern-day media.
Another parallel storyline is the friction between Large and his father (played by Ian Holm - aka Bilbo in Lord of the Rings). Although this may not be the primary theme, it plays a massive part in the film's aim of portraying real human life and how rubbish / beautiful it can be.
The acting is top quality, especially from such a young cast. Within is the best performance I've seen from Natalie Portman and Zach Braff does amazingly in the task of shedding of the 'silly fool' type-cast he's been given by his role in Scrubs.
Basically this film really touched me.
So simplistic yet amazingly profound. I can imagine many would consider it 'boring' as there are only a few special effects (there's one, but it's breathtaking I assure you) and there's no Bruce Willis running round half naked trying to kill baddies. But if that's what you need to enjoy a film then your life is probably quite boring and lacking in depth.
I recommend it to everyone. But if it's guidelines you need then it is similar to films such as: 'Sideways', 'Philadelphia', 'Million Dollar Baby' (also amazing), 'Ghost World', 'Rainman', 'Born on the Fourth of July' and 'Closer'.
Basically films that tackle human problems in a poignant, emotional and sensitive way.
The soundtrack is almost equally as good. Acoustic, subtle, enlightening and beautiful, just like the film. I bought the CD when I got the DVD and absolutely adore it. It features Coldplay, Simon and Garfunkel, Zero 7 (- In the Waiting Line. You'll know it if you hear it) amongst many others.
I made my Mum watch it and she loved it. If my Mum likes it, it's damn good. She even bought a Shins album because she loves the soundtrack so much.