a very heartwarming movie that should make anyone smile

Rating: 10/10 (15 September 2005)

Garden State is Zach Braff's (J.D. on the NBC show "Scrubs") directorial debut, and I must say, he did a wonderful job of creating what we think is a silly pointless comedy, but then blossoms into a great romance story with the quirkiest of characters.
Braff plays Andrew Largeman, who takes more medication than I thought legally possible, and due to this, Andrew is ultimately incapable of emotion. In fact, in one part, he says that he hasn't cried in 9 years. After his mother's death, Andrew returns to his New Jersey hometown (hence "Garden State") for her funeral. His father, Gideon, (Ian Holm) is also his psychiatrist, meaning his father is the reason Andrew has been on umpteen million meds since he was 9 years old. He reunites with his old high school buddy Mark (Peter Sarsgaard), who is ironically a gravedigger/graverobber who is burying Andrew's mother. The day after the funeral (the scene about the night before is funny as hell), Andrew heads to another doctor, and decides to get his recent series of headaches checked out. While waiting, he meets a young girl named Sam (Natalie Portman), who is by far the quirkiest girl I've ever seen. They begin to talk, and then after the appointment, (another hilarious scene in which the supporting character owns) Andrew gives her a lift home (in one of the funniest looking motorbikes ever). As the movie goes on, Andrew and Sam become friends, and Mark is involved in making sure Andrew doesn't lose his bad side. The ending, in which Andrew cries for the first time in a while, is very sweet that should make anyone's heart melt. This is definitely a movie to see with your girlfriend or boyfriend, or husband or wife. The acting is great. Zach Braff portrays his character to the highest level, making him numb, funny, and sweet (three very opposite words). Natalie Portman is at her best playing the quirky, yet well intentioned Sam, and Peter Sarsgaard is very likable as comic relief. Easily a classic.
10/10