garden state.

Garden State was one of those movies with quirky trailers that make me think will it be that good? And then Sara says it's "one of the best movies [she's] seen in forever." And I want it to be good, because it's a cute-looking indie. These things put pressure on a movie. (I have a problem with expectations.)

And then I saw it.

The Basics:

Written and directed by star Zach Braff (the "Scrubs" guy). Other names are Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Armando Riesco, Jean Smart, and Ian Holm.

The Verdict:

I almost forgot I was sitting in a theater. The shocking, plane-crash opening demands attention from the very beginning. Natalie Portman has basically the same effect. She steals every scene she's in. It's like she's glowing. I have a lot of respect for Zach Braff for using actors who are so capable of scene-stealing, since Sarsgaard kept my attention constantly, as well.

The Internet buzz is comparing this movie to "The Graduate" and calling it the definitive Generation Y movie. And to an extent, I agree. We are all a bunch of stumbling, drugged-up (and if we're not, we wish we were) Dustin Hoffmans/Zach Braffs. [Or John Mayers: "But all I feel's alone / It might be a quarter life crisis / Or just the stirring in my soul / Either way I wonder sometimes / About the outcome / Of a still verdictless life."]

Of course, it had problems. The "endless abyss" metaphor was more than a little obvious, but not a big enough deal to get in the way of enjoying the film. The characters, really, didn't need to be so quirky to make the point, but make it more fun getting to that point.

My Least Favorite Part:

I could've handled a less "fairy-tale style" ending. I think what separates this movie so drastically from "The Graduate" is the timespan. Large seems to be on the road to recovery in four days...which is about as much time as Dustin Hoffman spends in his pool.

My Favorite Part:

As much as I loved Sam, I think Mark was my favorite part. There aren't enough movies with such well-developed supporting characters. The weird little collections, the mom, the job...they all work really well together.