An empty-headed self indulgent exercise in juvenile romanticism

Rating: 1/10 (30 December 2006)

This is truly where the generation gap kicks in. I have had many people furiously defend this juvenile clap-trap, even going so far as to call it a work of art. Well I'm sorry kids, but a cool soundtrack does not make up for an utter lack of authentic emotional content or a coherent idea of any kind. This sort of film will appeal to weepy teenagers who spend all their time self-medicating and bemoaning the pain of their privileged suburban existences. Mr. Braff is a poor leading man at best, he reminds me of a young Ray Romano. Natalie Portman is wasted in a role that requires her to look alternately cute or haunted. If you want to see a good film about young people trying to make sense of their lives, try watching almost anything directed by Wes Anderson. The editing in the film is desperate and the whole thing seems to have been structured around it's soundtrack. The film is an empty vessel that you can project whatever you like onto. If this is the beginning of generation y cinema,I weep for the future.