Garden State (2004)

86% of critics liked it
(186 reviews)
87% of users liked it
(300,446 ratings)

In the wake of his success on the hit NBC sitcom Scrubs, actor Zach Braff made his debut behind the camera writing, directing, and starring in this bittersweet romantic comedy. Braff plays Andrew Largeman, a young man who has just received word of his mother's passing. With this news, Andrew returns… More In the wake of his success on the hit NBC sitcom Scrubs, actor Zach Braff made his debut behind the camera writing, directing, and starring in this bittersweet romantic comedy. Braff plays Andrew Largeman, a young man who has just received word of his mother's passing. With this news, Andrew returns to the town in which he grew up, where he is greeted by his father, Gideon (Ian Holm), a psychiatrist. In addition to mourning the loss of his mother, Andrew is also attempting to adjust to life without the emotionally numbing antidepressants that he has recently opted to discontinue using. Gradually, with the absence of the pills, his reconnection with his past, and the introduction of Sam (Natalie Portman), a woman who would seem to have little in common with him, into his life, Andrew is able to see the potential for some positive changes. Also starring Jean Smart and Peter Sarsgaard, Garden State was once titled Large's Ark and premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Zach Braff, Ian Holm
Written By: Zach Braff
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 28, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Dec 28, 2004
Studio: Fox Searchlight

Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy, Variety
Feels too piecemeal and ultimately inconsequential to grab the public where it counts.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
Mr. Braff, Ms. Portman, Mr. Sarsgaard and Mr. Holm never strike a false note as a remarkably coherent acting ensemble, and it is good to see Ron Leibman again in the small role of Doctor Cohen.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
Sweet, fuzzy and quirky in a good way -- much like the cracked friendships it engagingly depicts.
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Cleverly written, sensitively directed and very well-acted.
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
The best parts of this droll, quietly witty drama have the ring of truth.
Tom Long, Detroit News
The kind of movie that reminds you why you love movies so much, a film so filled with unexpected energy and ambition and sly intelligence it gives you hope for the future.
, Film4
Although flawed, Garden State is a good-natured film whose very likeability leaves you willing to overlook its shortcomings.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Smart drama for mature older teens and up.
Nick Rogers, Suite101.com
It's no longer a generational alarm clock, but for those who've seen loved ones stumble through complacent fogs of Paxil, Zoloft and the like, "Garden State" still warns that "stability" doesn't mean a numbness to anything not emotionally even-keeled.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
There is not a shot in this movie that doesn't shine. If you like the well taken picture, this is a great movie for you.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Actor Zach Braff (NBC's "Scrubs") makes an impressive if unsatisfying writing and directing debut with a plaintive post-modern drama that relies on unspoken dry wit to entertain its audience (think a cross between "Harold and Maude" and "The Graduate").
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Braff, who also wrote and directs, tells this story with great flair, lots of subtlety and a wonderfully paced set of revelations that come to us just as they might in real life.
Mark Halverson, Sacramento News & Review
[A] goofy, melancholy, seriocomic slice of life...
Joe Lozito, Big Picture Big Sound
It's good to see Natalie Portman acting again.
Joseph Proimakis, Movies for the Masses
full review in Greek
Jay Antani, Cinema Writer
the quintessential product by and for uninspired times
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
This is a movie where 'sensitivity' and 'sincerity' are signposted by songs by Paul Simon and Nick Drake, which I guess says it all.
Tim Merrill, Film Threat
While Braff's script may suffer from long-windedness, his direction -- of both cast and camera -- is so confident that this debut could well mark the start of a major career.
Scott Nash, Three Movie Buffs
Both funny and touching, this is a small film that deserves to be seen by a wider audience.
Enrique Buchichio, Uruguay Total
Es una buena primera película (...) El problema tal vez sea su incontrolable acumulación de situaciones...

Read all 20 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

familiar s

Okies type random dramatic rom-com ride.
Thomas B

Great work from Zach Braff in all categories. Full review later.
Idrees K

Very solid, enjoyable movie. Loved the writing.
Shawn E

A delightfully off-beat drama directed, written, and starred by Zach Braff.
Martin S

I'm not sure how to feel about this. It was just depressing. I just felt sad after watching it. The good thing about it is that you have one person and one person only to blame if it was bad. But I'm not gonna do that...cause it was good....but just depressing...wierd...
Jameson W

Garden State is such a great film. Zach Braff truly shows is talent not only as a performer, but also as a talented writer and director. A brilliant script, with smart dialogue in nearly every scene. Natalie Portman is nothing short of amazing in this film. Absolutely fantastic… More
Garden State is such a great film. Zach Braff truly shows is talent not only as a performer, but also as a talented writer and director. A brilliant script, with smart dialogue in nearly every scene. Natalie Portman is nothing short of amazing in this film. Absolutely fantastic film. I recommend it. One of my favorites!
Chris W

This seemed like a movie that I should totally identify with, become obsessed over, and absolutely love. That I did identify with (quite a bit), but didn't absolute love it is not as disappointing as it might seem. I liked this movie, but it just didn't quite do it for me. I… More
This seemed like a movie that I should totally identify with, become obsessed over, and absolutely love. That I did identify with (quite a bit), but didn't absolute love it is not as disappointing as it might seem. I liked this movie, but it just didn't quite do it for me. I guess I could blame Braff, as he did write and direct it, but really, it wouldn't do too much good. At least for now, I can't really think of what he should have done to improve things. I greatly appreciate the fact that this movie doesn't hide the fact that it owes a massive debt to both The Graduate and Harold & Maude. Thankfully it doesn't totally shamelessly rip those films off. The performances were really good, and I liked the tone and atmosphere of things but yeah, it just seems to come up short for me. Maybe the fact that I can identify with this movie to a good degree is why I couldn't fall in love with it, Who knows? Anyways, decent movie but not for all tastes.
paul o

Either im a terrible reviewer or I just dont enjoy many romantic comedies but i didnt like this. I love scrubs and Zac Braff but the idea of him directing is not a good idea. The plot of his dull life changing with his friendship with Natalie Portman seems a little bullshit to me. AND… More
Either im a terrible reviewer or I just dont enjoy many romantic comedies but i didnt like this. I love scrubs and Zac Braff but the idea of him directing is not a good idea. The plot of his dull life changing with his friendship with Natalie Portman seems a little bullshit to me. AND THE ENDING MADE ME SHOUT IN PURE ANGER. If youre a hipster...my god this is probably the greatest thing you have ever seen, but for me, I just couldnt take in the mediocre crap.
Coxxie M

this is good enough for me to forgive Zach Braff for wasting his entire career on Scrubs. but still dude.... after watching this like 6 times.... dude. you wasted your career on scrubs. this movie is almost good. and i hate scrubs.
Lewis C

"I'm okay with being unimpressive. I sleep better." Watching Garden State makes me seriously nostalgic, even though it's not very old at all. It reminds me of my early years in college, when I was just being exposed to movies like this, and music like the tunes on… More
"I'm okay with being unimpressive. I sleep better." Watching Garden State makes me seriously nostalgic, even though it's not very old at all. It reminds me of my early years in college, when I was just being exposed to movies like this, and music like the tunes on the soundtrack. But I don't think the entire reason I like this movie can be chalked up to nostalgia. Garden State is made for people who like melancholy movies about disaffected young adults. Which is not to say that it's glacial or depressing, there's actually a lot of humor. But if you enjoy more manic, lighthearted relationship movies, you'll do well to avoid this and save yourself some boredom. For the rest of us, Garden State is a breath of fresh air. I never would have guessed that Zach Braff could have pulled something like this off, but he certainly nailed the unfocused pointlessness that many people in their mid-twenties may feel. Fans of Natalie Portman will be pleased, as well, because she's great in this. Recommended.
Jens S

What a fine, fine movie. Such great dialoges, humor and wonderful acting. If Natalie Portman wouldn't have gotten the Oscar nomination for Closer, she would have deserved it for this. Just try not to fall in love with her wonderfully crazy character. Each awesome piece of music… More
What a fine, fine movie. Such great dialoges, humor and wonderful acting. If Natalie Portman wouldn't have gotten the Oscar nomination for Closer, she would have deserved it for this. Just try not to fall in love with her wonderfully crazy character. Each awesome piece of music from the soundtrack fits perfectly into the scene it is played in. Such a true, sad and funny movie with a really unique atmosphere. Kudos to Zach Braff for pulling all that off. And the ending is nothing but perfect.
Nani V

Wow, so much better than I had anticipated. I thought it would be somewhat depressing, but it was more uplifting. Lovely characters played well by each individual. I didn't find this film dull one bit, each moment was something new and continued on to take you to a better place.
Kalel J

Zach Braff's melancholic look into the treadmill of early adult life and the quest to find one's self is magnetic and moving, at once a push to move on with life as we progress into responsibility, but also a statement backing this important stage of growth. The film is… More
Zach Braff's melancholic look into the treadmill of early adult life and the quest to find one's self is magnetic and moving, at once a push to move on with life as we progress into responsibility, but also a statement backing this important stage of growth. The film is impressive in its level of exploration through simplicity, and its sharp - almost metaphorical - shot compositions.
Jennifer D

The classic 20something indie film. I'm more impressed by Zach Braff writing, directing and starring in this.
Tim S

A bit too mellow for my taste I guess is how I'd say it.
Conner R

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… More
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 character 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.
Anthony L

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.
Saskia D

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… More
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 second time I've seen it, but it really left an impression this time. <div style="width:1024px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/photos/zach-braff-garden-state-garden-state-5081332"><img src="http://content6.flixster.com/photo/50/81/33/5081332_gal.jpg" border="0"/></a><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com">
Randy T

Hilariously funny and surprisingly real. Zach Braff's screenplay is touching without being sappy. A refreshing and original romantic comedy.
Josh L

Very entertaining movie that charms most of the time, but there were moments when I thought they went a little too quirky. Still worth it, especially for Natalie Portman. She'll put a smile on your face the whole movie.