Movie-A-Day #237- Garden State (2004)

[thirty-two]

You must be registered for see images

Zach Braff (from the TV show Scrubs) stars in his writing/directing debut, Garden State--normally a doomed act of hubris, but Braff pulls it off with unassuming charm. An emotionally numb actor in L.A., Andrew (Braff) comes back to New Jersey after nine years away for his mother's funeral. Andrew avoids his bitter father (Ian Holm, The Sweet Hereafter) and joins old friends (including the superb Peter Sarsgaard, Boys Don't Cry) in a round of parties. Along the way he meets a girl (Natalie Portman, Beautiful Girls) with demons of her own; bit by bit the two offer each other a little healing. Plotwise, Garden State is familiar stuff, a cross between The Graduate and a Meg Ryan movie, but Braff has an eye for goofy but resonant visual images, an ear for lively dialogue, and a great cast. The result is surprisingly fresh and funny. --Bret Fetzer --This text refers to the Theatrical Release edition.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005JNC2/104-4032270-0316754?v=glance

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I adore this movie. Zach Braff (of Scrubs fame) wrote and directed it. He also compiled the songs for the soundtrack and eventually won a Grammy for it. I LOVE the soundtrack. Anyway, I love this movie for it's quirkiness, and real-to-life-ness (if thats even a word). It's just a genuine, low key movie that makes me almost pee my pants in hilarity. But it's the genuine hilarity, not the Dumb and Dumber type funny.

Anyway, go check it out!

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Another great one Kate...I think I like every movie you posted this week

I own this one actually...

Braff is one of my favorite actors, and he not only wrote and directed, but I think he picked out all the songs on the soundtrack, and I recommend it highly...I listen to a few songs on it daily...

Mike

 

[thirty-two]

Another great one Kate...I think I like every movie you posted this week

lol!

 

[nathan]

You must be registered for see images

I heard good things about this movie, but didn't think it was the great after I watched it, which is surprising since I like just about anything. I did like the music though.

 

[mdamien13]

I wanted to like this movie, since I loved the soundtrack and am a HUGE Scrubs fan, but I thought this was the most overrated movie of 2004. It seemed self-indulgent and maybe it was because I'm such a huge Scrubs fan, but when Zach Braff would stare off into space it didn't have the intended effect.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

I wanted to like this movie, since I loved the soundtrack and am a HUGE Scrubs fan, but I thought this was the most overrated movie of 2004. It seemed self-indulgent and maybe it was because I'm such a huge Scrubs fan, but when Zach Braff would stare off into space it didn't have the intended effect.

Probably cause you were laughing at him knowing how he is in Scrubs...



Mike

 

[CQ]

I want to see this one, but just haven't yet! I've liked all your other picks this week Kate, so I think I'll put this one on the, "soon-to-watch" list.

 

[thirty-two]

I want to see this one, but just haven't yet! I've liked all your other picks this week Kate, so I think I'll put this one on the, "soon-to-watch" list.

you wont regret it!

 

[mdamien13]

Probably cause you were laughing at him knowing how he is in Scrubs...



Mike

Probably true. I kept waiting for a voice-over and fantasy sequence LOL

 

[JerkFace]

this is one of me and my wifes favorite movies.........maybe it helped that we don't watch scrubs.

 

[Dback Jon]

Nope - haven't seen it...

 

[thirty-two]

Nope - haven't seen it...

 

[D-Dogg]

Great movie, and Braff is a great eye for dialogue and scenes. Very talented.

The soundtrack is indie great, and I love the Shins. Great band, and I love that song.

 

[Stout]

I realize it was a good movie, because the point of it was numbness, in a way, but I simply didn't enjoy it. I came out of it feeling numb and very little emotionally. Just didn't think it was that great

 

[Bada0Bing]

I was just searching for posts on a movie that I just watched and I came across Garden State. I can’t believe that I haven’t posted on this one yet. This was an awesome movie. I wish more movie makers would slow down and make more movies like this.

 

[BigDavis75]

I loved it. Seriously, one of my favorite movies ever.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

One of the best soundtracks out there too.