Ian Holm, Jean Smart, Kenneth Graymez

A quietly troubled young man returns home for his mother's funeral after being estranged from his family for a decade.

Flixster Users

87% liked it

300,446 ratings

Critics

87% liked it

176 critics

R, 1 hr. 49 min.

Directed by: Zach Braff

Release Date: July 28, 2004

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DVD Release Date: December 28, 2004

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Stats: 29,614 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (29,614)


  • September 9, 2009
    I find Zach Braff to be a little smug, even a little egotistical. I've never watched Scrubs and I'm not particularly interested but I have to say, for a little indie movie, this is very solid.
  • September 6, 2009
    Really odd movie. It was just ok.
  • August 27, 2009
    Natalie is as cute as ever,and I only know Zack from the comedy Scrubs, so his acting and the movie itself really surprised me. I loved the short and fast surreal flashes, the calm and somewhat detached atmosphere the movie breathes is supported by the soundtrack.
    It's the secon...( read more)d time I've seen it, but it really left an impression this time.

  • August 22, 2009
    Hilariously funny and surprisingly real. Zach Braff's screenplay is touching without being sappy. A refreshing and original romantic comedy.
  • August 22, 2009
    didn't finish
  • November 20, 2009
    Alright film. Just short of being something profound.
  • November 18, 2009
    It's good, but mainly due to the fact that Natalie Portman gives one of the best performances in a romantic comedy that I think I've ever seen. It tends to come off as a little bit too cliched, even though it feels like it's not going to be. Zach Braff gave a mildly like-able cha...( read more)racter rather than an endearing one, which is essential in a character centric film. I do like the direction and overall style, so in the end, it's a success.
  • November 16, 2009
    you play the movie and you kinda figure what the plot is and start imagining how it's gonna end... well not this one. This movie is a journey ..don't ask where it's headed..jump in and ride along..
  • November 13, 2009
    La scena nella vasca da bagno vuota mi uccide sempre.
  • November 5, 2009
    A feel-good film which is hard to brand with a specific genre. It's "original."

Critic Reviews


May 3, 2005
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

Boasts a sweet, moody rhythm. full review

August 13, 2004
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

His movie is sweet-natured and skillful, but its biggest problem is perhaps one Braff wasn't prepared to deal with: his own performance -- or, more accurately, the decision to place a deliberately fla... full review

August 6, 2004
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

It has an askew sense of humor that's grounded in honest observation. full review

August 6, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It's smart and unconventional, with a good eye for the perfect detail. full review

August 6, 2004
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

One of the smarter examples of the form. full review

August 5, 2004
Marcy Dermansky, About.com

A compulsive liar and non-stop chatterbox, Sam (Natalie Portman) is hands down the most appealing character in "Garden State," and Portman runs away with the movie. full review

July 30, 2004
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Braff, and Garden State, give it the old college try, and at least some, if not all, of the sparks catch. full review

July 28, 2004
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Poignantly portrays a detached man who decides to tackle life -- with all its pain, joys and everything in between -- with his eyes open and his head clear. full review

July 28, 2004
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

It's a hilarious and heartfelt ode to twentysomething angst. full review

View more Garden State reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • pimpinhillsboro
    January 31, 2009
    beautiful just beautiful i just wish jelly had stay away from the wheel (hehe)
  • os99
    May 8, 2008
    It's a average film to be honest, that has the best of intentions, but falls short in many ways. It's a good try, but everything from the way it's shot to the soundtrack is a collage of a every independent film that has ever been made.
  • aaaartstar
    April 5, 2008
    Beautiful, amazing, and one of the best i've ever seen. And now the song 'New Slang' is my favorite song and makes me happier if I'm feeling down :)
  • signofthezodiac4
    October 1, 2007
    Dont talk about Knights around Mark its a very source topic
    I'm gonna kill that mother fucker lol
  • sk8erteen
    August 29, 2007
    Really really really amazing movie like nothing ive over seen before AMAZING
  • ella75
    July 14, 2007
    This film is definitely one of my favorite films ever!.... Zack Braff is soooooooo cute is I'm so extremely jealous of Natalie Portman for sleeping wth him.... even if it was pretend!!!
    The acting is freekin incredible and it really opens up the way you think about life *and Zack Braff too*
  • pullupyourshirt
    June 17, 2007
    it says balls on your forehead
  • Melty4
    May 11, 2007
    two words boring as, adding a third word, hell! not one good laugh in the whole movie, just sulking whining and crying. this movie makes me hope zach braff never directs again. terrible, awful stuff. natalie portman sucked too by the way
  • fattymcphaterson
    April 12, 2007
    This movie is one big walking cliche. The characters try so hard to be eccentric that it just comes off as pretentious. Not to mention that Zach Braff and Natalie Portman's acting abilities are questionable at best.
  • GoldTeethNcurse4thisTwn
    February 18, 2007
    this is hands down the best movie ever one of the best i've seen in a long time. zach braff is amaizing. it's incerdible.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Garden State Trivia


  • Which actress stars in "Garden State", "Closer" and "Leon"?  Answer »
  • Which actress has appeared in Heat, Garden State, and Closer?  Answer »
  • In what movie was Zach Braff a failed actor going home for his mom's funeral?  Answer »
  • She starred in Star Wars, Garden State and V for Vendetta.  Answer »

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