good stuff

Rating: Null/10 (14 September 2004)

a little lacking in structure (though braff in interview noted that the narrative went exactly as he had planned it), a terribly extremely funny film, with unique characters and a definitely engaging film technique, eg. much coverage and variety in shots, and closeups very effective (though the acting is mostly the cause of this); i loved the boat on the edge of the abyss, but really i loved all the details in this film. natalie portman redeemed herself 120% from star wars; throughout, i was thinking my god she can act after all! great and idiosyncratic performance from her, near perfect ... the father character (ian holm) was not given enough play and/or development (or simply just screen time), and though the interactions between father and son were somewhat unoriginal (especially the ending speech to his father by braff's character), the delivery and movements and overall acting more than made up for this, and i could barely tell that the "it's going to be OK" speech had been used a thousand times ... this is a praise ... the ending was a bit cliché (at least one of the people i saw it with was thoroughly disgusted with the ending and said it did not fit at all) but i think it worked anyway. wonderful first film (though i have read elsewhere that he has made at least another previously) - 9/10