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Garden State

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Garden State (2004)

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Reviews Counted:176

Fresh:153

Rotten:23

Average Rating:7.5/10

Consensus: Charmingly warm-hearted and quirky.

Runtime: 1 hr 49 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff) shuffled through life in a lithium-induced coma until his mother's death inspired a vacation from the pills to see what might happen. A moderately successful TV actor... Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff) shuffled through life in a lithium-induced coma until his mother's death inspired a vacation from the pills to see what might happen. A moderately successful TV actor living in Los Angeles, "Large" hasn't been home to the "Garden State" in nine years. But even with 3,000 miles between them, he's been unable to escape his domineering father Gideon (Sir Ian Holm) and the silencing effect he's had on his son from afar. Stunned to find himself in his hometown after such a long absence, Large finds old acquaintances around every corner living quite unique lives as gravediggers (Peter Sarsgaard), fast food knights and the panderers of pyramid schemes. Meanwhile, at home, he does his best to avoid a long-simmering but inevitable confrontation with his father. By a twist of fate, Large meets Sam (Natalie Portman), a girl who is everything he isn't. A blast of color, hope and quirks, Sam becomes a sidekick who refuses to ride in his sidecar. Her warmth and fearlessness give Large the courage to open his heart to the joy and pain of the infinite abyss that is life. GARDEN STATE was directed and written by Zach Braff (of television's "Scrubs"), who also stars alongside Golden Globe®-nominated Natalie Portman (STAR WARS: EPISODE I, COLD MOUNTAIN), Golden Globe nominee Peter Sarsgaard (SHATTERED GLASS, BOYS DON'T CRY), Oscar®-nominated Ian Holm (CHARIOTS OF FIRE, LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING), Emmy Award®-winning Jean Smart (BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, SWEET HOME ALABAMA), Method Man (SOUL PLANE, HOW HIGH), and Golden Globe nominee Ron Leibman (AUTO FOCUS, PERSONAL VELOCITY).

Opening Date: Friday, August 6 San Francisco: Landmark's Bridge Theatre

Opening Date: Friday, August 13 San Francisco - CineArts @ Empire Emeryville - AMC Bay Street Berkeley - Shattuck Cinema Pleasant Hill - Century Pleasant Hill Burlingame - Century Hyatt San Jose - Camera 12 San Jose - AMC Mercado, Santa Clara San Jose - AMC Saratoga Sausalito - CineArts @ Marin Santa Rosa - Rialto Cinemas Lakeside

Opening Date: Friday, August 20 Sacramento - UA Market Square Roseville - UA Olympus Point Davis - Signature Stadium 5 Stockton - City Center 16 Visalia - Signature Stadium 10 Reno - Riverside 12 Honolulu - Dole Cannery 16 -- © Fox Searchlight [More]

Starring: Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Ian Holm, Peter Sarsgaard

Starring: Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Ian Holm, Peter Sarsgaard, Ron Leibman, Method Man, Jean Smart, Ann Dowd, Denis O'Hare, Geoffrey Arend, Jackie Hoffman

Director: Zach Braff

Director: Zach Braff
Screenwriter: Zach Braff
Producer: Pamela Abdy, Dan Halsted, Gary Gilbert, Richard Klubeck
Composer: Chad Fischer
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for Garden State

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >> >|
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It's heart is beautifully expressed through humour, dry wit and honest emotion that never gets sappy at all.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
09/09/04
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

A witty, wacky, and wonderful trip through the minefield of being twenty-something.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
12/07/04
Stella Papamichael
Stella Papamichael
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Garden State is nothing short of genius, as moving as it is hilarious.

Full Review Source: FilmFocus | comment Comment
12/05/04
Joe Utichi
Joe Utichi
FilmFocus

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
10/23/04
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
06/25/05
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
03/07/05
Independent
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Boring and nothing happens. I didn't laugh once.

Full Review Source: FilmsInReview.com | comment 1 Comment
08/13/04
Victoria Alexander
Victoria Alexander
FilmsInReview.com

A strong debut feature from a promising new director.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
08/08/04
Ethan Alter
Ethan Alter
Film Journal International

Almost every scene comes with some sweet surprise, something wonderful and memorable, even at the funeral of a family hamster.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
08/06/04
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

the quintessential product by and for uninspired times

Full Review Source: Perihelion Journal | comment 4 Comments
08/24/06
Jay Antani
Jay Antani
Perihelion Journal

Somewhat of a "Harold and Maude" updated. We could use more films with this kind of spirit.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
08/17/04
Ross Anthony
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card

Zack Braff works wonders with his spare narrative and funky ensemble.

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
08/10/04
Jeanne Aufmuth
Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly

It's the little moments that make Zach Braff's directorial debut a mesmerizing and emotional viewing.

Full Review Source: Sympatico.ca | comment Comment
08/05/04
Angela Baldassarre
Angela Baldassarre
Sympatico.ca

Sweet, fuzzy and quirky in a good way -- much like the cracked friendships it engagingly depicts.

Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
08/20/04
Joe Baltake
Joe Baltake
Sacramento Bee

A little gem of a film full of believably offbeat characters and eclectic mood music.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
08/12/04
Ed Bark
Ed Bark
Dallas Morning News

A flawed but funny and heartfelt film that suggests: maybe you can go home again—even if that means coming back to Jersey.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
06/09/04
Chris Barsanti
Chris Barsanti
Slant Magazine

If you're familiar with the music of The Shins and Nick Drake, you have a sense of the melancholic-ironic-romantic-euphoric buzz the movie aspires to instill in viewers...

Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
08/20/04
John Beifuss
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

As long as Braff keeps making films like this one, he deserves free rein to make out with all the hot, young actresses he wants.

Full Review Source: Las Vegas Weekly | comment Comment
08/19/04
Josh Bell
Josh Bell
Las Vegas Weekly

Braff, now a proven triple-threat, is blessed with his own comic chops, an eye for the small details of regular life and a simple, straightforward directorial style.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
08/05/04
Allison Benedikt
Allison Benedikt
Chicago Tribune
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >> >|
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Latest News for Garden State

May 10, 2007: Box Office Guru Preview: "28 Weeks Later" and "Georgia Rule" To Battle For #2 Spot
In what must be a first at the box office, an aerobics queen takes on killer zombies in a vicious battle for the silver medal during what no doubt will be another mammoth... More...

August 31, 2006: Box Office Preview: "Crank" Closes Up Summer Movie Season
The summer movie season comes to an official end with the Labor Day holiday weekend unleashing three new releases plus the national expansion of a fourth. More...

August 14, 2006: Box Office Wrapup: "Talladega Nights" Stays #1, "Step Up" Surprises
Despite a pair of newcomers close behind in its rearview mirror, Will Ferrell's hit comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby finished in first place for the second... More...

March 02, 2006: Dr. Dorian Prepares for "Open Hearts"
"Scrubs" star Zach Braff, who made quite the impression with his debut movie, "Garden State," has chosen his second directorial project: a remake of the 2003... More...

See All

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