ONE HARSH CRITIC: Garden State

More often than not, when I see a film about to premiere I look at the credits, sizing up the crew that put that particular piece together.  And again, more often than not, when I see at that helm of that particular piece a pseudo-known sit-com actor, I cringe, but shell out ten dollars and step aboard what I can only assume will be the Titanic's younger brother. Add the Indie category and my eyes roll.  Indie-films are not my favorite for the comfort factor.  In Los Angeles, you have to hunt down a theatre with broken seats and the faint stench of urine wafting in the air to view the "art" films.  What's worse is no one ever admits to hating these pieces even though they have no idea what they are about.  Rather than admit their own ignorance, they talk about awarding Oscars.  

That being said, I had mixed emotions when I found out about Zach Braff's first film, Garden State.   While this film is an indie style film with a sit-com actor as writer, director and star, I have a bit of an odd obsession with NBC's Scrubs and Zach Braff as they unite to form the only funny show on television.  Therefore, I felt, being loyal to my obsessions, I should give Garden State a chance.  All I can say is this; am I ever glad I did.  

While I am unafraid to admit that I am not exactly sure what happens during this film, I can say this; the theme revolves around true love.  The story is of Andrew Largeman (Braff), a struggling actor/waiter who must return to his sleepy New Jersey hometown after he learns that his mother has passed away.  A paraplegic, she was bathing and drowned in the bathtub.  After the funeral, Andrew confronts his psychologist father (Ian Holm) about his splitting headaches.  A doctor's visit later, Andrew has met Sam (Natalie Portman), the woman of his dreams, and realized that his father should not be acting as his own son's doctor.  Maybe his medical advice hasn't been unbiased.  

Throughout the film, Andrew must deal with a bombardment of obstacles; the numbness he feels toward life due to his father's overzealous medicating, his friends who are grave diggers by profession and thieves and drug-addicts by trade and the memories of causing his mother's paralysis.  But the steepest hill he must climb is conquering his on insecurities as he lets go of a numb pseudo-existence and begins to truly live a life.  Andrew confronts his father, allows himself to love and assesses his life's priorities all in this two hour span. 

Braff has done a brilliant job cramming this roller coaster into one coherent film.   With virtually no dialogue, his character is able to portray a vast amount of information with simple actions of facial expressions.  His cast is all spot on as if they were bread for these roles.  In fact, the only thing that bothered me about this film was that Portman looks too young to be dating the 29 year-old-Braff.  The rest of this film was incredibly moving.  

So, if you like dark, emotional films, and aren't afraid to leave the theatre with a mixture of happiness as true love conquers, and depression as the tone of this film is extremely dark, this would be a great film for you.  But as a side note, the music from this film could be the soundtrack for an extremely romantic date.  In what I would call a compellation of normal songs (no Barry White or anything else overtly sexual), this is music to get lost in.  The kind of lost you want to get with your date.  Music from Iron and Wine, The Shins and Frou Frou for example might not be on your current play list, but before that next big date, I suggest you make the addition.  Your sensitive side just might love it if you let it.  

----------

Josh Gloer, Movie Correspondent

You can find Josh's column One Harsh Critic at http://oneharshcritic.gather.com.

You can keep up with Josh's postings and his Gather activity by joining his Gather network.  Just click here: http://filmmaker1997.gather.com, and then select the orange "connect" button on the left hand side of the page. 

You can find Josh and other Movie Correspondents, celebrity content and connect with other movie buffs at Movies.Gather.com.