Well written, moving film

Rating: Null/10 (24 January 2005)

Zach Braff's directorial and writing debut with "Garden State" is an absolute masterstroke from a young man who, along with a talented supporting cast, has made "Scrubs" the premiere sitcom on TV today. This heartwarming and beautifully made film starts off a little slowly, but once it hits its stride, it soars high.
Mr. Braff stars as Andrew Largeman (Large to his friends), a struggling LA actor who's main claim to fame was starring as the "retarded quarterback" in a TV movie. Working at a Vietnamese restaurant and long estranged from his parents, Andrew receives a phone call one morning that forces him to confront his demons. His mother has passed away. He must now return home to New Jersey to not only bury his mother, but his estrangement from his father as well. Mr. Braff's vulnerability makes this role work, his innocent charm enhances it, and his increasingly hopeful delivery of the material sells it.
Natalie Portman (who was the first choice for the role, but Zach didn't think he could get her) graces us yet again with her timeless elegance, skill and beauty taking on the role of Sam. A once aspiring figure skater, her epilepsy and compulsive lying has led to a chance meeting and eventual romance with Andrew at a doctor's office. Such sweetness in this role, reminds me a lot of her "Beautiful Girls" character, only older. Once again, Natalie gives us a magnificent performance from the best actress of her generation.
Ian Holm plays Andrew's father, Gideon. Partially blaming Andrew for his wife's paralysis, Gideon has been trying to repair the 10 year rift between father and son. However, he has played Andrew's psychiatrist for so long, he seems to have forgotten how to talk to his son. Another well played, honest feeling role.
Peter Sarsgaard plays Mark, one of Andrew's childhood friends, Jean Smart plays his mother, the only two characters to offer much more to the proceedings, and both add wonderfully to the film.
"Garden State" is a brilliant film debut, it's well written and thoughtful story about growing up and dealing with the sometimes harsh realities of life never rings false, and after a slow beginning, picks up steam once Andrew returns home and realizes that life is far too short to live numb.
4 ½ out of 5