Went to sleep more free than in a long while

Rating: 9/10 (26 August 2006)

Reading through the user comments, I am impressed and encouraged that this movie connected significantly with so many people in their 20's. Okay, so maybe that's not a huge surprise; the film was written and directed by a bright and talented fellow when he was in his late teens and 20's.
But here's what I mean. It's not nothing to identify with a character who makes the transition from living a muffled life to engaging with life. Sure, it touches a longing in everyone with a pulse, the desire to drop every one of our defenses and feel. But there are plenty of forces at work in this culture that stand to benefit from the younger crowd not engaging in a intelligent and courageous fashion.
And Andrew, our protagonist, is mostly rewarded for engaging. He stumbles into a connection with Natalie Portman's Sam (and allow me to make the obligatory observation that history will be kind to Natalie Portman, even if she leaves acting for public office or private practice or finds that being a full-time mom is a delightful way to spend many years). The spark of life and healing that result from that relationship give him the courage and clarity to confront his father. And not just his father, but the internal voice of guilt and darkness that has clouded his young life, and it's a doozy of a cloud, I will clue you.
Zach is not punished for engaging, for experimenting with dropping his defenses. And while that is no one's real experience, it makes for a very good story and film. We need precisely what this film offers, the reminder of hope. I am an old guy, 47 this year, and this movie rang some deep bells inside. Like many guys from my generation, I grew up muffled, completely unaware of the things that frightened me, and had the great blessing of friends who loved me and were patient with me as I slowly grew up well into my 30's.
I don't know. But I do know that it is the most normal thing for people to shut down before they keep their heads out in the real air long enough to get a deep whiff off all the smells out here. And we only get one shot at this thing. Thanks, Zach Braff and hard working cast and crew. You did very well.