Back in Jersey

Rating: 9/10 (30 July 2008)

Garden State (2004).Directed by: Zach Braff.Written by: Zach Braff.Leading man: Zach Braff.He plays a troubled young man called Andrew Largeman who goes back to his hometown in New Jersey for the first time in nine years.His mother has died.Back home he has a lot of stuff he has to work with his dad, Gideon (Ian Holm).At the funeral he meets his grave digging friend Mark (Peter Sarsgaard).Later he meets this lovely girl called Sam (Natalie Portman).Before that he didn't know who he was.She helps him find himself and the true happiness in life.Garden State is a great drama comedy.Zach Braff proves he's really fine doing both of them.Natalie Portman gives a sweet performance as Sam.Peter Sarsgaard is excellent as another troubled man, Mark.Jean Smart is wonderful as his mother Carol.Sir Ian Holm is fantastic as the father.Ron Leibman gives a short but memorable performance as Dr. Cohen.Denis O'Hare and Debbon Ayer (Rob Morrow's wife) are very good as the ark people Albert and Faye.The music played in this film works perfectly.There's Simon and Garfunkel and stuff like that.The soundtrack earned a Grammy award.When I was listening to the audio commentaries on the DVD by Braff and Portman it was easy to sense the amount of fun they had while making this movie.They had this great group spirit and I guess that's one of the reasons this movie works so good.