Review of Garden State (2004) by William E — 18 Jul 2010

In this indie darling we get a real sense of the kind of actor Zach Braff (Scrubs) can be. While the script is simple in execution, the actors add the needed depth to make the story really come alive. Braff's story doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't. Its a love story, and one that is quite intriguing at that, its the story of one mans struggle to discover himself amid the bevy of drugs prescribed by his shrink father (played brilliantly by the great Ian Holm. It is also the story of a man returning to his roots only to discover that they lay like that of an old tree, twisted mangled and barely resembling that of which they started.

Natalie Portman, and Peter Saaragard co-star, Portman as the epileptic love interest Sam, and Saarsgard as Braffs childhood friend slash stoner slash huge loser, whose life can best be summed up by one of the movies best lines "I'm okay with being unimpressive...I sleep better". Portman is Sam an epileptic with a flair for originality, she meets Braffs character Andrew Largeman in the psychiatrist office they form a quick bond over a ride home, and begin to realize they are not so different, and they are in fact two kindered spirits in need of one and other.

What this movie truly does well it utilize its soundtrack to set the tempo, this movies soundtrack was so good that it won a Grammy, and it did so deserve one. Every significant moment in this movie lives on thanks to the song provided for it. You can't hear New Slang by The Shins and not immediately think of that moment when Natalie Portman gives a faint smile, would the post sex scene been as great if it wasn't for Iron and Wine's cover of an already spectacular song by The Postal Service? Without Zero 7's "In The Waiting Line" what would the drug scene have looked like? Alas what would the airport scene at the finale have been like without the always awesome Imogen Heap and her band Frou Frou, simply not as effective.