The Artwork Of A Lost Generation

Rating: 9/10 (31 May 2005)

It is a common misconception that the majority of growth from childhood to adulthood happens during one's teenage years. Rather, it can only truly begin to happen through a separation from the comfort of home and a solitary exploration of the infinite 'abyss' of life. Right now an entire generation of American college students and young adults are being bombarded with ideas and solutions to life's most imminent question- "What can I do to make myself happy?" Garden State is a beautiful piece of artwork that flawlessly captures the sentiment of this lost generation, and speaks out for the silent and forgotten in today's family-oriented society.
We are introduced to our protagonist, Andrew Largeman, through a dream he has of himself on a crashing plane. Immediately we see how detached he is from the world, as he struggles to stay awake in his chair through the calamity happening around him. Lifeless and heavily medicated, he returns home for his mother's funeral where he encounters his domineering psychiatrist father and some old friends from high school. The world his friends live in is one of sex, drugs, and sensualism as an escape from everything that is reality. As shown in a very well filmed party scene, Largeman's numbness separates him not only from feeling reality, but from feeling the pseudo-reality that his unscrupulous friends enjoy. Empty and lost, avoiding an inevitable confrontation with his father, Largeman then meets the girl that changes his life.
Natalie Portman puts forth a breathtaking performance as Sam, who from the get-go is full of beauty, laughter, energy, quirkiness, and endearing imperfections that make her everything that Largeman desires and lacks. Beneath the strange surface of this unique character lie the simple wants and needs of any girl- as evidenced by her innocent plea to her dead hamster of "I hope that you liked me." She is in touch with her emotions, unspoiled by today's demeaning culture, and readily able to laugh at her own mishaps- simply put she is the girl of my dreams. As their relationship develops and Largeman discovers freedom from his sedating medicine, an exploration of life commences and the growth he has been lacking since childhood finally begins.
The crazy journey that Largeman undergoes during the four days that this film documents is not a groundbreaking story in itself, but it is wholly real and comically genius. Zach Braff also uses metaphors quite overtly to enhance this piece of artwork, such as the running metaphor of Noah's Ark that almost warranted naming the film "Large's Ark." Visually, this is represented by an abundance of animals and water in certain scenes, but more importantly it serves as a framework for the death and rebirth that Largeman experiences and the setting of the emotional climax of the film. Braff makes no attempt to be subtle or surprising in this film, but simply tries to reach the soul and heart of our generation- and in this he succeeds, convincingly.
Garden State answers the question of "What would make me happy" by showing that finding where you belong and knowing that you are at home provide the comfort and peace we are all searching for. It shows that we can't find it in the sensual pleasures of this world, or by hiding reality behind a mask of unreality, or even by returning to our childhood home. The place we belong is a place we are searching for, and lies somewhere unseen in the unchartered territory we must gain the courage to explore. When we find it, the life that has been on hold for the transitional period may resume once again, and we find our place as an adult- we find our home.
If you feel disappointed after watching this movie or don't understand what all the hype is about, then that's fine- this movie wasn't made for you. However, if you were lucky enough to let this movie pierce your heart and if you felt like this movie was so perfect that it could have been made just for you- know that you are in good company. You are not alone in your journey, and this feeling of familiarity is what makes this film into artwork that has changed lives.
Personally, no film has ever hit me as hard as Garden State did when I watched it. It kept me laughing, and I'll admit to even crying during this film because nothing compares to the reality of my own emotions being laid out in front of me in the form of artwork. The soundtrack is simply unrivaled, and this film brought me to the theatre four times, each viewing bringing a unique and fresh aspect to light. I echo the thanks that thousands have given to Zach Braff for creating what can only be described as the film of our generation.