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Garden State

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Garden State (2004)

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Reviews Counted:35

Fresh:29

Rotten:6

Average Rating:7.1/10

Consensus: Charmingly warm-hearted and quirky.

Runtime: 1 hr 49 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Jul 30, 2004 Limited

Box Office: $26,706,668

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 GlobeŽ-nominated Natalie Portman (STAR WARS: EPISODE I, COLD MOUNTAIN), Golden Globe nominee Peter Sarsgaard (SHATTERED GLASS, BOYS DON'T CRY), OscarŽ-nominated Ian Holm (CHARIOTS OF FIRE, LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING), Emmy AwardŽ-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

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Release:

May 26, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • NTSC
  • Keep Case
  • Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
  • Dolby Surround - Spanish

Additional Release Material:

  • Deleted Scenes
  • Outtakes
  • Making Of
  • Bloopers: Blooper Reel

Audio Commentary:

  • 1. Zach Braff - Director
  • 2. Lawrence Sher - Director of Photography
  • 3. Myron Kerstein - Editor
  • 4. Judy Becker - Production Designer
 
 
 
 

Reviews for Garden State

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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Feels too piecemeal and ultimately inconsequential to grab the public where it counts.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
03/26/09
Todd McCarthy
Todd McCarthy
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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 Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
09/10/04
Andrew Sarris
Andrew Sarris
New York Observer
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The best parts of this droll, quietly witty drama have the ring of truth.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
08/13/04
Eric Harrison
Eric Harrison
Houston Chronicle
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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.

Full Review Source: Detroit News | comment Comment
08/13/04
Tom Long
Tom Long
Detroit News
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Achingly alive, beautifully written first feature.

Full Review Source: Denver Post | comment Comment
08/13/04
Lisa Kennedy
Lisa Kennedy
Denver Post
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Call the whole thing a mixed bag.

Full Review Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News | comment Comment
08/13/04
Robert Denerstein
Robert Denerstein
Denver Rocky Mountain News
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Sincere, funny and entertaining in a way that not only charms but disarms.

Full Review Source: Detroit Free Press | comment Comment
08/13/04
Terry Lawson
Terry Lawson
Detroit Free Press
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This comedy works so diligently at being idiosyncratic, it comes off as artificial and forced.

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
08/12/04
Bill Muller
Bill Muller
Arizona Republic
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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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It takes the comic-drama Garden State awhile to take root, but then it quickly grows on you.

Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
08/12/04
Jeff Strickler
Jeff Strickler
Minneapolis Star Tribune
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There is a little unevenness. But for a directorial debut, it's amazingly assured.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
08/06/04
Desson Thomson
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
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Features some wonderful performances, chief among them an engaging, even courageous turn from Natalie Portman.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
08/06/04
Ann Hornaday
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post
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It steals shamelessly from The Graduate without indicating a whit of appreciation for the earlier film.

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
08/06/04
Peter Howell
Peter Howell
Toronto Star
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It has an askew sense of humor that's grounded in honest observation.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
08/06/04
Mick LaSalle
Mick LaSalle
San Francisco Chronicle
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A standard issue, first-movie navel-gaze whose cobwebs Braff meticulously sweeps away by directing the bejesus out of it.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
08/06/04
Wesley Morris
Wesley Morris
Boston Globe
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A comedy with so many moments of found insight and irony that it can scarcely contain them all.

Full Review Source: San Jose Mercury News | comment Comment
08/06/04
Bruce Newman
Bruce Newman
San Jose Mercury News
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It's smart and unconventional, with a good eye for the perfect detail.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
08/06/04
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
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One of the smarter examples of the form.

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
08/06/04
Liam Lacey
Liam Lacey
Globe and Mail
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Garden State, Zach Braff's lyrical directorial debut, self-consciously announces itself as a baby buster generational marker -- and richly deserves the designation.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
08/05/04
Carrie Rickey
Carrie Rickey
Philadelphia Inquirer
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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
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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...

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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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