garden state [A]

moviemcpeake snippet: Garden State is a remarkable coming of age, romantic, comedy. It falls under my very short list of great romantic comedies. Eternal Sunshine and Garden State. Romantic comedies have been plagued by what Hollywood and people have thought they wanted. In reality, Garden State is what viewers need.

I was blown away by Natalie Portman and Zach Braff. Braff plays Andrew Largeman, a young guy not struggling to become a man, but struggling to become himself. After being on anti-depressants, subscribed by his father, since childhood, Andrew rebels from his “numbness” in search of feeling and life. Portman who plays his new found love interest Sam, is quirky, irresistible, and original. Her smile and charm permeate the screen. She truly is the real girl next door. Her family is colorful, enchanting, and unconventional.

This film, right down to its soundtrack, is fun and repeatable. I enjoyed laughing my ass off, gasping from appall, and having blurred vision from deep emotion that was brought out of me. I felt very much a part of their lives. I was on their journey. The characters were developed and well written that I couldn’t help but become attached. Garden State is one of the few stories that should be told to as many people that will listen. It dives deeper than the main character with small pivotal characters and random events that left me with the sense that through out all the States of America, there are many people on their own special journeys. The trick is to discover them and learn something from them.

recommendation: great fun quirky film. this a film you can just "pop in" during the week and relax.