Ultimately, The Graduate could only offer that the young would shut out the old and start over. Garden State is about the next season, about getting off the bus.
Comment
09/26/04
Garden State (2004)
86
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:181
Fresh:155
Rotten:26
Average Rating:7.4/10
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... [More]
Starring: Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Ian Holm, Peter Sarsgaard
Director: Zach Braff
Reviews for Garden State
an auspicious film debut which features some quirky-yet-endearing performances, a killer soundtrack, and a screenplay far deeper than we should expect from a mere sitcom actor
09/22/04
The film's saving grace, ironically, is that earnestness.
09/19/04
I had forgotten that it was possible to laugh at the movies without watching a dog get drunk on Scotch or two unwitting teenage siblings make out.
09/18/04
This "lost souls" movie will be compared to "The Graduate" and "Lost in Translation." But it stands on its own because of its quirky characters and situations.
09/12/04
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.
09/10/04
A funny, if not slightly flawed and overly neurotic. Braff and Portman bring a real magic to the piece.
09/10/04
While I am aware of the film's cliches and formulas, there is still something about this film that connected with me in a visercal way.
09/08/04
An often riotous journey of self-discovery.
09/05/04
the heart and soul of Garden State is Zach Braff . . . I can guarantee my a** will be in the seat for whatever project he helms next
09/04/04
Braff is in possession of a distinct vision and an acute sensibility, both of which become clearly evident during the course of the film.
09/03/04
That rarest of things: a quirky film that actually is quirky, and that isn't just working overtime in a desperate attempt to seem that way.
09/01/04
an offbeat, genuinely moving dramedy
08/29/04
Zach Braff should promptly quit his TV show and devote himself to making movies full-time.
08/26/04
A few overly artsy shots make it look like Braff's trying too hard, but mostly he's simply trying to tell a heartfelt story.
08/26/04
...hardly makes a clean break with the tacky suburban banality it lampoons. Even by the end, Braff’s clunky sentiments are rooted in a New Jersey state of mind.
08/25/04
Braff's concern for both his struggling characters and how people with low self-esteem never give themselves a chance to grow seemed heartfelt.
08/24/04
Somewhere between the Prozac and Zoloft is a comedy of intemerate charm.
08/24/04
A film so dedicated to being different that it disappoints.
08/23/04
Portman, a fine young actress, has rarely been used to such good effect.
08/23/04
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...
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