Garden State

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Garden State

R

2004

1h 49m

Comedy

Romance

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

189 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

After many years away, television bit part actor Andrew Largeman returns to his small hometown 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. Largeman also meets compulsive liar and amateur musician Sam, 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

12/20/2017

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.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

06/21/2016

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

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/24/2010

4/5

Smart drama for mature older teens and up.

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Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

06/12/2024

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

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Cory Woodroof

615 Film

06/15/2022

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.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

09/08/2020

4.0/4.0

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

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Thyaagu C

@Thyaagu Mar 27

How is this movie so blank but still not boring? So emotionless, yet it still has feelings. This movie barely gives you a solid story or much to hold on to, but somehow time just flies without getting bored. There goes its win.

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Malik D.

@Princevon Feb 10

Take me back to when movies were this good.

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Maurice M

@MauriceSPD Feb 2

This movie sucked so bad that I waited almost 20 years to write a review. I even took the time to create an account solely to warn others about how shitty this movie is. This is a boring steaming pile of dog shit that is only worth watching because Natilie Portman is in it. I cant imagine being douchy and pretentious enough to try and pretend this was artistic or "Indie". At the end of this movie people will ask what's it was about and you won't even know. It has zero point and unless you are tripping balls it will suck.

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William M

@William428 Jan 30

From a psychology perspective, this is a well written film.

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Khaliel P

@RT59339161 Nov 1

Garden State, written and directed by Zach Braff, is a film that captivates through its simplicity and sincerity, without relying on action or a complex plot. It follows 26-year-old Andrew Largeman, emotionally numb due to medication, who returns to his hometown after his mother’s death and reconnects with his best friend Mark and meets Samantha, sparking a journey of self-discovery. The film excels through its authentic characters and performances, notably Zach Braff and Natalie Portman, supported by a strong secondary cast. Enhanced by a perfectly curated soundtrack, beautiful cinematography, and thoughtful lighting, the film’s quiet moments and heartfelt ending, where Andrew chooses to embrace life, make it a deeply moving and transformative cinematic experience.

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Hanna J

@RT58751951 Aug 23

The only movie I ever want to remember from the 2,000’s.

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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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79%

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Garden State: Trailer 1

1:11

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Synopsis

After many years away, television bit part actor Andrew Largeman returns to his small hometown 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. Largeman also meets compulsive liar and amateur musician Sam, 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, Romance, Drama
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