Garden State
Rent & Buy
Andrew returns to his hometown for his mother’s funeral, a journey that reconnects him with old friends. The trip coincides with his decision to stop taking his powerful antidepressants. A chance meeting with Sam—a girl also struggling with various maladies—opens up the possibility of rekindling emotional connections, confronting his psychologist father, and perhaps beginning a new life.
What critics thought
Zach Braff's debut won over most critics with its charm, its soundtrack, and its eye for the textures of early adulthood — comparisons to The Graduate were made, and meant seriously. The fault line ran through the ending: even admirers noted the film loses its footing in the final stretch, and detractors found the whole enterprise too slight to hold together.
“Not since The Graduate has a movie nailed the beautiful terror of standing on the brink of adulthood with such satisfying precision.”
Peter Debruge·Premiere
“This is not a perfect movie; it meanders and ambles and makes puzzling detours. But it's smart and unconventional, with a good eye for the perfect detail.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“Garden State coasts on this considerable charm until it hits a brick wall in its final segments”
Keith Phipps·The A.V. Club
“Feels too piecemeal and ultimately inconsequential.”
Todd McCarthy·Variety
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Cast & Crew
Zach BraffDirectorZach BraffAndrew Largeman
Natalie PortmanSam
Ian HolmGideon Largeman
Peter SarsgaardMark
Jean SmartCarol
Armando RiescoJesse
Jackie HoffmanAunt Sylvia Largeman
Method ManDiego
Alex BurnsDave
Ron LeibmanDr. Cohen
Jim ParsonsTim
Michael WestonKenny
Lawrence SherCinematographyGarden State
Andrew returns to his hometown for his mother’s funeral, a journey that reconnects him with old friends. The trip coincides with his decision to stop taking his powerful antidepressants. A chance meeting with Sam—a girl also struggling with various maladies—opens up the possibility of rekindling emotional connections, confronting his psychologist father, and perhaps beginning a new life.
What critics thought
Zach Braff's debut won over most critics with its charm, its soundtrack, and its eye for the textures of early adulthood — comparisons to The Graduate were made, and meant seriously. The fault line ran through the ending: even admirers noted the film loses its footing in the final stretch, and detractors found the whole enterprise too slight to hold together.
“Not since The Graduate has a movie nailed the beautiful terror of standing on the brink of adulthood with such satisfying precision.”
Peter Debruge·Premiere
“This is not a perfect movie; it meanders and ambles and makes puzzling detours. But it's smart and unconventional, with a good eye for the perfect detail.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“Garden State coasts on this considerable charm until it hits a brick wall in its final segments”
Keith Phipps·The A.V. Club
“Feels too piecemeal and ultimately inconsequential.”
Todd McCarthy·Variety
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Cast & Crew
Zach BraffDirectorZach BraffAndrew LargemanNatalie PortmanSamIan HolmGideon LargemanPeter SarsgaardMarkJean SmartCarolArmando RiescoJesseJackie HoffmanAunt Sylvia LargemanMethod ManDiegoAlex BurnsDaveRon LeibmanDr. CohenJim ParsonsTimMichael WestonKennyLawrence SherCinematographyRent & Buy