Sweet Little Gem from the guy in "Scrubs"

Rating: 8/10 (3 January 2005)

Zach Braff (Scrubs) stars, wrote, and directs this little gem about a guy who returns home after many years to attend his mother's funeral. His character, "Largeman" is one of those guys who never really understands his existence. He was blamed for his mother's initial health problems and sent away to boarding school because his father felt that he needed to be away. He is also is on every manic-depressant known to man because his father thinks he needs it. "Largeman" (his last name) isn't sure he really does need it, but goes anyway to please his dad.
He eventually hooks up with some old friends and meets a new friend, Sam (Natalie Portman. Sam is an epileptic, a liar, and also a bit of a loon, but she also understands "Large". The two of them, in the very short time he is back home, begin a fruitful and important friendship.
This movie is very low key, but it's also very charming and very funny. It's extremely well written. These are people that are identifiable, and everyone probably knows someone like "Largeman". He justs simply wants to live his life and begin to understand things better. Not always do what people think is right for him. (***1/2)