Garden State

[Chief Rum]

Just rented and watched this today.

I thought it was a very good film. Several laugh-out-loud parts and funny situations, a nice love story, and a lot of philosophical musing for the thinking-inclined.

CR

[Dunleavy]

i watched it 2 and a half times on a flight, it's a dark heavy movie, but at the same time has a lot of humor in it, it makes you laugh, and has a fuzzy feeling at the end, plus big Scrubs fan, like Zach B and portman.

[cthomer5000]

I've never watched Scrubs once, but I came away extremely impressed with Zach Braff. To write, direct, and star in your first feature film and have it turn out so well is very, very impressive. Portman was great as well (standard, unless George Lucas is directing here to act like a porno-quality leading lady).

I was pretty disappointed when the movie didn't get a single Oscar nomination. I thought it could have easily gotten a nod in a number of categories. Best original screenplay, best supporting actress (it would have made sense for Portman to get nominated for this over Closer), or best supporting actor for Peter Sarsgaard (the sort of deadbeat friend).

My guess is Portman had the best chance there, but was probabkly either considered for leading actress, or just got a bigger push for Closer (a much larger studio film).

Overall, great movie (and great soundtrack). Probably my #2 movie of last year (just behind Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind).

[Flasch186]

i thought it was excellent

[sachmo71]

Watching the deleted scenes makes me happy they edited most of them out. Totally different movie, especially the scene where he has the talk with his dad.

[JeeberD]

Just watched it last night and really enjoyed it. I'll have to check out the deleted scenes later tonight...

[Subby]

Great film.

Got the soundtrack a few weeks ago and have been listening to it non-stop. The song by Zero 7 (Waiting Line) is already one of my all-time faves (it is the song that plays after he takes that ecstasy hit).

[DanGarion]

My thoughts on this movie from my movie review.

http://www.dangarion.com/article.php?story=20050110174853997


Today while I was sick home I watched Garden State (Rated R, 109 minutes) for the first time since I caught it in the movie theaters. Every so often there is a movie that really clicks with me, Swingers, High Fidelity, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and now Garden State has been added to that list. Writer/Director Zach Braff does a great job in his debut film in which he also plays the lead role of Andrew Largeman. Andrew is a struggling actor living in Los Angeles where he recieves word from his father that his mother has died. He returns home to New Jersey for the first time in 10 years to attend the funeral but also discovers himself for the first time and begins to feel. During his trip he runs into some old friends from high school and also meets a girl Sam, played by Natalie Portman. His trip to New Jersey is not only for the funeral but he decides to take a vacation from the medication he has been taking in some form or another since he was ten (Lithium), that were prescribed by his psychiatrist father.

With Sam and his new found ability to feel, Andrew wakes up and discovers himself in ways he didn't know he could. Natalie Portman is brilliant in this movie playing a free spirited girl who seems to know all about life. The movie is supported by a strong soundtrack which helps convey the mood throughout the film.

This is a brilliant work. The type of work someone could only create before they really hit it big. Independent film at it's finest which is why I give it a $9 out of $9

[Calis]

The soundtrack is fantastic, not often that I buy a soundtrack, but did on this one and love it.

Great movie, although I went into it with the wrong expectations, from being told time and time again how funny it was.

While it had a few moments, I wouldn't call it an overly funny movie, but when I got over the shock of it not being a comedy it was a very good, thought provoking film.

I thought the end was a bit of a cop-out, but didn't ruin the movie by any means.

Think the Soundtrack won a grammy last night?

[AENeuman]

Good movie, but not great. Seems like every few years one of these movies comes out. Return home, dyfunctional parents, alienated friends, and a new girl (boy) that understands them in way no has before. I prefer Buffalo 66. even You Can Count on Me

[Kodos]

Garden State was good, but to see Natalie at her best, you have to see Beautiful Girls.

[Crapshoot]

Loved Garden State- loved it.

As For Beautiful Girls, I was 13 when that came out- so you can understand my mind- for a lot of people though, I would bet it made them feel like dirty old men.

[Kodos]

I would be one of those dirty old men. I couldn't help but feel that Willy should have waited for her, even though he was right not to.

[Flasch186]

Garden State was good, but to see Natalie at her best, you have to see Beautiful Girls.


acting wise, to see her at her best IMO you have to watch the professional....One of the best movies ive EVER seen.

[Crapshoot]

I would be one of those dirty old men. I couldn't help but feel that Willy should have waited for her, even though he was right not to.

Yeah, I think anyone with a heart felt that way. Amazing performance from a 12 year old.

[Flasch186]

no sir, some of those lines between timothy hutton and her were too rehearsed....especially at the ice skating rink. The only reason they were acceptable is that the movie as a whole was good, otherwise they wouldve been flamed.

[MizzouRah]

I loved it as well. Actually wasn't going to watch it, but people here recommeded it.

Todd

[Loren]

I loooove Garden State..the video store has it for 10 bucks so im gonna go buy it tomorrow :p its kinda how i love The Good Girl....

[Young Drachma]

Good stuff. I just saw it today.

[IMetTrentGreen]

decent but overrated. i think he just saw a wes anderson movie and decided to copy it best he could. the characters are all quirk, and aside from some funny moments the whole thing just felt really affected

[chinaski]

I thought it started out great, then slowly devolved into the standard romantic comedy. I wont give away the ending... but c'mon, how freaking formulaic!

[paperstreetsoap]

Great film.

Got the soundtrack a few weeks ago and have been listening to it non-stop. The song by Zero 7 (Waiting Line) is already one of my all-time faves (it is the song that plays after he takes that ecstasy hit).
good soundtrack, i agree. the shins are great, plus frou frou's "let go" always gets in my head now.

[MikeVic]

Watched it today and liked it.

A question related to the movie though... I love the music in it. Does anyone have any recommendations that are similar to it? Everything seemed easy listening to.

[Young Drachma]

The music was great. I think college kids overall like this movie way too much though.

[Anthony]

my wife and i liked the movie a lot, and we're about 5-6 years outta college.

yay, i'm still hip.

[PSUColonel]

I thought it was a very so-so movie...a nice toliet seat novel at best.

[terpkristin]

I liked the movie.
I liked the soundtrack enough to buy it. And, as far as people on the soundtrack, I recommend Zero 7 and Frou Frou.

/tk

[Recoil]

I dig the movie, too. The soundtrack is great. I'm glad they featured the Shins throughout the movie.

[MikeVic]

Thanks. I'll check out The Shins, Zero 7, and Frou Frou.

[kingnebwsu]

Guess I didn't understand this movie. Only made it through about an hour. Thumbs down from me (3 years removed from college...I'm no longer cool!!!).

[Calis]

Check out Iron & Wine also, very weak song on the soundtrack but man oh man do I love Sam Beam. The Woman King EP has got more play this year out of me than any other CD, and it isn't slowing down as of yet.