Wednesday, July 28, 2004

R

For language, drug use and a scene of sexuality

Comedy, Drama

Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Ian Holm, Method Man, Peter Sarsgaard, Jean Smart, Geoffrey Arend, Alex Burns, Aunjanue Ellis, Ato Essandoh, Jayne Houdyshell, Rob Liebman, Jim Parsons, Armando Riesco

Zach Braff

Zach Braff

Garden State (2004)

Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff) shuffled through life in a lithium-induced coma until his mother's death inspired a vacation from the pills to see what might happen. A moderately successful TV actor living in Los Angeles, "Large" hasn't been home to the "Garden State" in nine years. But even with 3,000 miles between them, he's been unable to escape his domineering father Gideon (Sir Ian Holm) and the silencing effect he's had on his son from afar.

Stunned to find himself in his hometown after such a long absence, Large finds old acquaintances around every corner living quite unique lives as gravediggers (Peter Sarsgaard), fast food knights and the panderers of pyramid schemes. Meanwhile, at home, he does his best to avoid a long-simmering but inevitable confrontation with his father.

By a twist of fate, Large meets Sam (Natalie Portman), a girl who is everything he isn't. A blast of color, hope and quirks, Sam becomes a sidekick who refuses to ride in his sidecar. Her warmth and fearlessness give Large the courage to open his heart to the joy and pain of the infinite abyss that is life.