Different, and very good because of it.

Rating: 9/10 (11 July 2005)

For starters, let's just admit that this film will not be everyone's cup of tea. True, there has yet to be a film made that appeals to every demographic, and Garden State itself does not tick every box. For example, if you are the type of person who rates a film by 1) the number of explosions, 2) the death count and 3) just how many witticisms Big Arnie can crack off in between, this film is not for you. If however, you can take to a film that has an unarmed protagonist then you may just be in for a very enjoyable couple of hours. Garden State is one of those fantastic films that, by blockbuster standards, seem to be driven by a whole lot of nothing. There is no comet hurtling toward earth, no serial killer on the loose, and no super villains in underground lairs. What there is is a story about real people. Garden State is the type of film that I wish was the rule toward American film production, rather than the exception. It is telling that this film was unable to find financial backing among the big studios despite the star leverage of writer/ director/star Zach Braff and Danny DeVito (picking up Executive Producer credit). Thank God then for Gary Gilbert who saved the picture with $2.5 million of his own cash. Thank God indeed that he did then, or probably one of the best films of 2004 would not have been made. The storyline is a standard boy meets girl romance, altered by the imaginative supporting cast into more of an ensemble comedy with a romantic heart. This supporting cast, both animal and human and encompassing such varied beings as a masturbating dog and rap loving, beat - boxing cop lifts this movie out of being a standard (and probably forgettable) coming home/falling in love story. It is to Braffs credit that he is able to weave all of this co - existence into one straight story. Garden State is an excellent film, not suffering for it's tiny budget but rather made charming by it. It is obvious that this is a work of love by not only Braff but also the entire production crew. See this film to remind yourself that film can still be a medium of magic, should it ever be released from the cold grip of pure commercialism a'la mainstream Hollywood. Oh, and not to forget Natalie Portman, the only reason I watched this film originally. And yes, she retains her crown as the world's cutest (and most talented) actress. Peace. And for God's sake - WATCH THIS FILM!