Oficial Movie Website 2004 Theatrical Release Home Video Not Available MPAA Rating Rated R for language, drug use and a scene of sexuality Running Time Genre Directed by Zach Braff Cast Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard,Sam Holm Studio |
GARDEN STATE
Very few things could bring Andrew Largeman
(Zach Braff) back home to his roots in New
Jersey. The death of his mother is, however, one
such thing. And so, Andrew must pack his bags
and venture back into a world he left ten long
years ago. Back to his psychologist father (Ian
Holm), his old friends and his old ghosts.
Since leaving New Jersey, Andrew has been
living in a prescription drug induced fog.
Powerful drugs, that mask his feelings and
provide a buffer from the world, pulse through
his system as he balances minor acting jobs
with waiting tables in LA. No joy, no sadness, no
feelings can break through the pharmacological
barrier.
It is on his trip back home that Andrew's world
starts coming into focus again. His recovery is
due in part to his hooking up with Samantha
(Natalie Portman), a girl with her own set of
baggage.
Written and directed by Zach Braff, this film is a
very touching, interesting, often humorous, look
at a voyage toward one young man's rediscovery
of himself.
(Zach Braff) back home to his roots in New
Jersey. The death of his mother is, however, one
such thing. And so, Andrew must pack his bags
and venture back into a world he left ten long
years ago. Back to his psychologist father (Ian
Holm), his old friends and his old ghosts.
Since leaving New Jersey, Andrew has been
living in a prescription drug induced fog.
Powerful drugs, that mask his feelings and
provide a buffer from the world, pulse through
his system as he balances minor acting jobs
with waiting tables in LA. No joy, no sadness, no
feelings can break through the pharmacological
barrier.
It is on his trip back home that Andrew's world
starts coming into focus again. His recovery is
due in part to his hooking up with Samantha
(Natalie Portman), a girl with her own set of
baggage.
Written and directed by Zach Braff, this film is a
very touching, interesting, often humorous, look
at a voyage toward one young man's rediscovery
of himself.
Mary's Comments
A very fine film in all respects, this is one of
my favorites this year. Zach Braff bit off a
large hunk, but it isn't more than he can
handle. There may not be perfect chemistry
between the two leads, but that's a very
minor tradeoff with regard to all of the
movie's pluses.
A very fine film in all respects, this is one of
my favorites this year. Zach Braff bit off a
large hunk, but it isn't more than he can
handle. There may not be perfect chemistry
between the two leads, but that's a very
minor tradeoff with regard to all of the
movie's pluses.
Brenda's Comments
Zach Braff is to be commended for his
work. Wearing three large hats in a
production of this magnitude and ending up
with a fine product is a feather in his cap.
Great story, old but with a great slant. Of
course the guy returns home and meets a
hometown girl and falls for her, but it's how
it all unfolds that will catch you off guard.
Zach Braff is to be commended for his
work. Wearing three large hats in a
production of this magnitude and ending up
with a fine product is a feather in his cap.
Great story, old but with a great slant. Of
course the guy returns home and meets a
hometown girl and falls for her, but it's how
it all unfolds that will catch you off guard.
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY Brenda S. Ladd & Mary K. Morgan |
