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Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Ian Holm, Jean Smart ... see more see more... , Ann Dowd , Ron Leibman , Denis O'Hare , Method Man , Michael Weston , Jim Parsons , Jackie Hoffman , Amy Ferguson , Ato Essandoh , George C Wolfe , Aunjanue Ellis , Geoffrey Arend , Alex Burns , Jayne Houdyshell , Armando Riesco , Christopher Carley , Kenneth Graymez

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 Larg... read more read more...eman, 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

Flixster Users

87% liked it

300,446 ratings

Critics

86% liked it

186 critics

R, 1 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: Zach Braff, Ian Holm, Jean Smart, Kenneth Graymez, Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Ron Leibman

Release Date: July 28, 2004

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DVD Release Date: December 28, 2004

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Stats: 30,869 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (30,869)

  • imrealgod
    January 23, 2012
    imrealgod
    Okies type random dramatic rom-com ride.
  • TomBowler
    October 7, 2011
    TomBowler
    Great work from Zach Braff in all categories. Full review later.
  • fb634552688
    September 3, 2011
    fb634552688
    Very solid, enjoyable movie. Loved the writing.
  • shawnewing92
    August 4, 2011
    shawnewing92
    A delightfully off-beat drama directed, written, and starred by Zach Braff.
  • TheGame90
    June 4, 2011
    TheGame90
    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...
  • jamers2011
    January 29, 2011
    jamers2011
    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 fantast... read moreic film. I recommend it. One of my favorites!
  • cosmo313
    January 5, 2011
    cosmo313
    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 gues... read mores 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.
  • paulkoh110
    December 29, 2010
    paulkoh110
    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... read more. 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.
  • LoughnerWasLucid
    December 26, 2010
    LoughnerWasLucid
    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.
  • lewiskendell
    September 8, 2010
    lewiskendell
    "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... read more. 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.

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Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy
March 26, 2009
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Feels too piecemeal and ultimately inconsequential to grab the public where it counts. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
September 10, 2004
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. Full Review

Joe Baltake
August 20, 2004
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

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

Jay Boyar
August 20, 2004
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel

Cleverly written, sensitively directed and very well-acted. Full Review

Eric Harrison
August 13, 2004
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle

The best parts of this droll, quietly witty drama have the ring of truth. Full Review

Tom Long
August 13, 2004
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.

Lisa Kennedy
August 13, 2004
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

Achingly alive, beautifully written first feature. Full Review

Robert Denerstein
August 13, 2004
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

Call the whole thing a mixed bag.

Terry Lawson
August 13, 2004
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

Sincere, funny and entertaining in a way that not only charms but disarms. Full Review

Bill Muller
August 12, 2004
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

This comedy works so diligently at being idiosyncratic, it comes off as artificial and forced. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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    • Dr. Cohen: Of course you're all right. You're alive.
    • Samantha: You laugh. I'm not saying I don't cry but in between I laugh and I realize how silly it is to take anything too seriously. Plus, I look forward to a good cry. It feels pretty good.
    • Samantha: That's life. If nothing else, It's life. It's real, and sometimes it fuckin' hurts, but it's sort of all we have.
    • Andrew Largeman: Good luck exploring the infinite abyss.
    • Samantha: Hey, didn't you play that retarded quarterback?
    • Andrew Largeman: Yeah, that was me.
    • Samantha: Are you really retarded?
    • Titembay: Someone has been pissing on my Gamecube and I'm about to close the case.
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Garden State Trivia

  • Which actress stars in "Garden State", "Closer" and "Leon"?  Answer »
  • Which actress has appeared in Heat, Garden State, and Closer?  Answer »
  • In what movie was Zach Braff a failed actor going home for his mom's funeral?  Answer »
  • She starred in Star Wars, Garden State and V for Vendetta.  Answer »
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