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Back Shelf Beauties
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Garden State We've seen some surprising and refreshing movies from television stars this year. Jennifer Garner was wonderful in 13 Going on 30, and Ashton Kutcher shocked me in The Butterfly Effect, but Zach Braff has taken surprise to a whole other level. Not only is this Scrubs star the main attraction in Garden State, he wrote and directed it. Zach's a triple threat! Braff stars as Andrew Largeman - an overmedicated wannabe actor in Los Angeles who must go home to New Jersey when his mother tragically passes away. Once home, he starts to tackle all of the issues that have been dragging his life down, and meets a special woman, Sam (Natalie Portman), who could be the best thing to ever happen to him. What is bothering Andrew? Is it true love with Sam? Garden State isn't so much about the story, but about a feel and state of mind. Braff takes you into Andrew's clouded, troubled mind as he faces friends from his past, his family and the frightening prospect of love. Instead of getting wrapped up in the plot, we're supposed to feel Andrew's feelings, see how he deals with life, and hope he can overcome it all. While this is usually a downfall for movies (A Home At The End Of the World), it works in Garden State as Andrew's journey becomes the plot. He is not going to be the same after this trip, and we get to watch the evolution unfold. In addition to a quirky love story and Andrew's journey, Braff keeps us engaged with a visual flair that indicates a bright future for the actor/writer/director. I was impressed with Braff's grasp of symbolism and his ability to capture important ideas and emotions with his camera. For instance, look for an amazing scene where all of Andrew's pals are in a pool, but he is over on the other side until Sam swims to him, or funny little sight gags like a shirt that matches the home's décor. It tells us everything we need to know about Andrew's changing life, and how he feels about these relationships, while sometimes lightening the mood, so we aren't overwhelmed with dread. Look for great performances from Braff, Portman and Peter Sarsgaard, who should have had more to do in the film. Portman is electric as Sam balances Andrew's hazy approach to life with an energy and irresistible vibrancy. She makes the character's little quirks endearing instead of annoying, while Sarsgaard excels as the best friend who is facing a rough life of disappointment. He has some of the film's best lines, but the character could have been more deeply explored (in his own movie perhaps?). Garden State will open in your town in the next few weeks. It is rolling out in major markets first (NY/LA/DC/Chicago), then mid-level and possibly smaller markets if it does well enough. At worst, look for it on DVD around the end of the year. 3 Waffles (out of 4) Copyright 2004 - WaffleMovies.com
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