Good, good, good.

Rating: Null/10 (6 September 2004)

This movie was very good. Zach Braff has proved that he has Hollywood staying power with this hilarious but heavy romantic dramedy that he not only stars in, but also wrote and directed.
Braff's writing is very refreshing. The dialouge in this movie doesn't make the characters seem unbelievable, which is something I have a problem with in SOME indie movies about young people. The 20-somethings in this movie have meaningful dialouge without sounding like they have researched the exact thing to say four months in advance. I think all the main characters are well-developed and come off as very likable, at least at the end.
Oh, one thing to mention is that this film is FUNNY! Yes, it is about a struggling actor who comes back to New Jersey after a nine year absence to bury his mother, where he finds all of his friends coked up and in dead end jobs, however, I found myself laughing OUT LOUD several times.
Natalie Portman's character, Sam, is one of the best film characters I have seen in a long time. She is funny, likable, charming but doesn't come off as contrived. She is a sweet animal lover who can be insecure about her family and past. I honestly wanted to pluck her from the screen and take her home with me. The only negative thing that I can say about this movie is that Braff may have outdone himself. The scenes were each so unique and charming that I hope he has something left for a follow up.
I really, really liked this film. I think it was a circle back to what young indie films USED to be.