The movie walks a well-worn path: a long absent, brooding, twenty-something loner returns to his troubled family to make peace with his relatives and, subsequently, himself.
And then he falls in love, obviously. “Garden State” should be awash with cliches and teary hugs, ending up a typical “coming of age” story. But with the assets of an inventive script, written and directed by newcomer Zach Braff, and a cast of fabulous actors, “Garden State” is in no way uninspired.
Braff, better known as D.W. on NBC’s comedy “Scrubs,” stars as Andrew Largeman, “Large” to his friends. Large is an over-medicated and struggling actor/waiter living in Los Angeles whose big break came as he starred as a mentally and physically challeneged quarterback in a made-for-TV movie. After a nine-year absence, Large returns to his home in New Jersey for his paraplegic mother’s funeral. With his cabinet full of prescription bottles home in L.A., his trip home slowly wakes him after a sixteen-year, lithium-induced hibernation.
Braff’s portrayal of Andrew Largeman, with not a slapstick joke in sight, will shock “Scrubs” fans. His subtle humor keeps the heavy story line light and bearable, as do the characters he meets along the way. Back home, Large reconnects with old friends and encounters new ones as well, namely Sam, played by Natalie Portman.
Sam, a compulsive liar, introduces herself to Large when a seeing eye dog attacks his leg in a doctor’s office. “Kick him in the balls!” she screams before going off on a long rant about her non-existent actor/dwarf cousin and motorcycle driving boyfriend. Portman is charming and energetic in the role, her best since “Beautiful Girls.” However, she doesn’t bring as much depth to the part as she has to some of her past characters. In several comedic scenes, this energy can be over the top and two-dimensional. At more serious moments, though, Sam is realistic and moving. Even so, the other actors in the film outshine Portman.
Take Peter Sarsgaard, who plays Large’s childhood friend Mark, a pot smoking gravedigger still living with his mother. Sarsgaard steals the show in every way, no small task considering his cast mates. He creates a character who can both rob people as he buries them and also move the audience to tears by his kindness. These personal touches prevent Mark, the film’s funniest character, from becoming the cliche underachieving pothead friend seen in so many movies.
This sense of ease, despite a depressing story line, is the strength of “Garden State.” The film is in no way flawless. Braff, film program graduate and first time director, goes overboard with the camera effects. Slow motion and zooming in and out are fitting for an Ecstasy-laced party scene, but are completely unnecessary for shooting everyday events.
There is also Braff’s Noah’s Ark theme-numerous animals, rain and boat references-that is so out of place that it forces meaning into a movie that should be left to play out itself.
Still, “Garden State” escapes the common trap of being overly intellectual and unrealistic. Braff’s story unfolds with natural suspense that adds to its depth and appeal. “Garden State” adds up to much more than the sum of its parts.
