Garden State - A Review

Rating: Null/10 (11 April 2008)

So, Mr. Braff, from a relatively unknown actor to the (apparently) highest paid soap opera actor ever (130,000 dollars per episode) to the Writer and Director of 'Garden State'. A film documenting the life of a struggling young actor and his associated difficulties.
I struggle to believe that this film would have received such widespread acclaim if Zach Braff wasn't so well known. And, of course, the (rather surprise) inclusion of esteemed actress Natalie Portman makes this film what it is. That being said, I still love this movie and am so glad it has made the waves it has done.
So, why is this movie good? I would give it 7 or 8 out of ten. I don't know much about Camera shots or Character Development or general movie production stuff so I'm not going to comment on the aesthetic or juxtaposition of scenes/dialogue/character interaction in any great depth.
Much like Lost in Translation (For me, anyway) this film doesn't really have a plot at all. In fact, it's hard to pick out one stand out sequence which really sticks in my head. But, I still really like Lost in Translation. And this leads me onto my first point. The Soundtrack.
Zach Braff hand picked these songs, unsurprisingly for his own film. And as a result, send a complete CD of the track listing to potential actors to give them an idea of the feel of the movie. And it's so important since there really isn't a 'feel' to this movie. It's such a calm, introverted, back-story of self discovery, recollection and analysis that rather than an 'in-your-face' obvious, and logical progression in the form of 'Beginning, Middle and End' and that's what makes this film so important. Braff's character is highly medicated with anti-depressants and has been for years. And I think this is what most people who dislike this film, might not understand. The entire point is that his medication has numbed him from the world, from his own emotion, from living a life and music provides inspiration to the acting itself.
For me personally, this film is about the hopelessness of reaching adulthood whereby everything leads up to a point where you either make, break or figure out why things maybe haven't worked out quite how you wanted them to be. It's about partying when you're young, where everyone is 'someone' and you're part of this tight knit friendship group and it's the potential for your life when you grow up which keeps friendships fresh. Unfortunately, when you're older and you've not really achieved anything and everyone is in the same boat, it's a bit like going home to see old friends and wonder how they are. Only, when you go back you realise nothing has changed.
The main point of this film is that Zach Braff's character felt forced to leave home since his Dad made his feel guilty for his Mum's paralysis and since then he can't live a normal life due to the guilt and shame he feels (And of course, his medication, which may in fact be the thing that's largely preventing him from moving on).
It takes the death of his Mother for him to return home. And following this he meets Natalie Portman's character, with whom he falls in love. And he meets and old best friend of his, who isn't actually getting anywhere with his life, and seems completely contented with this which reassures Zach Braff's character.
Overall, since I could type away about this movie all day, but I'm probably boring people, this movie isn't about anything concrete or material. It isn't about self-discovery or love or taking chances or happiness or romance or friendship. It's purely and simply one mans struggle with himself to overcome an obstacle and burden he should never have been forced to bear as a child which as a result has left him confused, alone and unable to properly interact or achieve success in life. And all in all, he realises that he should never have been made to feel guilty, and as a result can get on with his life. And rather fortunately, the presence of Natalie Portman's character, who is utterly charming, provides the trigger for him to be released from his depression.