Garden State

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Garden State

R

Released Jan 16, 2004

1h 49m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

191 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

After many years away, television bit part actor Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff) returns to his small home town in New Jersey to attend his mother's funeral. There he is confronted by various aspects of the life he left behind, including his overbearing father (Ian Holm). Largeman also meets compulsive liar and amateur musician Sam (Natalie Portman), with whom he feels an immediate connection. Together with several other figures from his past, Largeman heals old wounds and forges new friendships.

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Critics Consensus

Delivering a quirky spin on familiar twentysomething tropes -- with a cannily-placed soundtrack -- Garden State has enough charm to mark a winning debut for first-time director Zach Braff.

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Will Self

London Evening Standard

On the basis that it behoves all of us to keep a little nugget of our 15-year-old selves locked up in our breasts, I'm going to say this is a loveable film and that you should all go and see it to awake your inner adolescent.

Dec 20, 2017

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

Braff captures the specific, self-involved ennui of the aimless 20-something, and he doesn't do it from a point of smug detachment.

Jun 21, 2016

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Christy Lemire

Associated Press

Rated: A

Nov 7, 2011

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Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

Garden State’s original sin is abandoning the original story of how to resolve the numbness of the beginning with tropes like stop taking your prescription medicine, socialize and live. Braff treats the central concept, why the protagonist is so numb

Jun 12, 2024

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Cory Woodroof

615 Film

The fact that the pinnacle of this film puts the three lead characters in garbage bags yelling nonsense into the air is much more scathing than any review that could ever be written.

Jun 15, 2022

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

I found myself experiencing fits of laughter and tears for a good two hours following my viewing of Garden State.

Rated: 4.0/4.0

Sep 8, 2020

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Tyler G

The ultimate finding yourself rom com. Great cast, writing it poetry, cinematography has so many memorable shots, the perfected manic pixie dream girl character. The best soundtrack in movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/16/24

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David S

The Garden State offers a quirky and fantastic movie that I recommend. The movie is very sad at certain points, and the soundtrack is absolutely amazing. It is heartfelt and personal, with great performances, especially by Natalie Portman and Zach Braff. The theme is great, focusing on finding meaning in the small things in life. The dialogue is humorous and authentic, and the script is well-written. The cinematography captures a sense of melancholy. Ultimately, it’s a touching and memorable journey worth taking.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/23/24

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Tom F

Some aspects of the story aged terribly over 20 years, but the good stuff holds up pretty well.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/01/24

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Jace E

Garden State has a vibe and unique feeling to it that I absolutely love. The soundtrack, the tone, the script, it all creates this slightly depressing world, but not in a bad way. This depiction of estrangement, grief and finding purpose is crafted into a beautiful story that I was drawn to. The film is extremely quirky, with moments so strange that they could be off-putting to some. That being said, those moments are what make this movie feel so real. I have always been a fan of Zach Braff's acting, but this made me love his writing and directing as well. Best Character: Sam (the manic pixie dream girl) Best Quote: "It's like you feel homesick for a place that doesn't even exist." - Largeman Best Scene: The Hamster Burial Best Song: "Don't Panic" - Coldplay Watch filtered on VidAngel

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/15/24

Full Review

David H

This is a classic. Its definitely nostalgia-filled for me, but after going so many years before rewatching I realized that it's also a great film. I've gone from my mid 20s to the early 30s. I love it all the same, yet for different reasons. If it were written, I'd read the book.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/10/24

Full Review

John G

A creative look at an effort to come to terms with being alive and oneself. Natalie Portman (Sam) is totally engaging as she sympathetically joins Zach's search for a way to come to terms with his demons. A subtle yet surprisingly powerful romance emerges.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/25/24

Full Review

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Zach Braff

Director

Zach Braff

Andrew Largeman

Ian Holm

Gideon Largeman

Ron Leibman

Dr. Cohen

Method Man

Diego

Natalie Portman

Sam

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Garden State: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

After many years away, television bit part actor Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff) returns to his small home town in New Jersey to attend his mother's funeral. There he is confronted by various aspects of the life he left behind, including his overbearing father (Ian Holm). Largeman also meets compulsive liar and amateur musician Sam (Natalie Portman), with whom he feels an immediate connection. Together with several other figures from his past, Largeman heals old wounds and forges new friendships.

Director: Zach Braff
Producer: Pamela Abdy, Richard Klubeck, Gary Gilbert, Dan Halsted
Screenwriter: Zach Braff
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: Jersey Films, Large's Ark Productions, Camelot Pictures
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Scenes of Sexuality)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 16, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $26.8M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital

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