Nice film about temporary insanity, alienation and guilt...

Rating: 8/10 (3 December 2005)

...three subjects that always speak to me. Garden State has an interesting cast, with Zach Braff doing a nice turn as the alienated stranger in a strange land. He walks through the movie, his face impassive, only his eyes moving to take in the craziness around him. Natalie Portman is a beautifully natural actress whose dialog seemed improvised, it was that real. Peter Sarsgaard did his usual creepy, all-seeing, all-knowing character. In all, a wonderfully moody, emotional, yet matter-of-fact take on the stuff that'll kill us if we let it. As a love story, it made me a believer in the concept of "soul mates" -- I was right there with them. And it's all wrapped up in a terrific soundtrack.