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
Comment
09/22/04
Rate this Movie 
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
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... [More]
Starring: Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Ian Holm, Peter Sarsgaard
Director: Zach Braff
Get This Movie
Rent DVD
Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.
Buy DVD
Reviews for Garden State
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
Top CriticA funny, if not slightly flawed and overly neurotic. Braff and Portman bring a real magic to the piece.
09/10/04
It's heart is beautifully expressed through humour, dry wit and honest emotion that never gets sappy at all.
09/09/04
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...
What’s Hot On RT
Fresh Links
Featured
History of Disney Animation 
MSN Movies offers a little background on the success of Disney Animation.
90 Years of Screen Vampires
TIME takes a look back at the history of vampires on film.
Virtuoso Vistas of Lovely Bones
Techland examines the visual splendor of Peter Jackson's upcoming film.
Recent Headlines as TV Movies
AOL put together a list of 10 recent news items that would be perfect as TV Movies.
Promos
Follow RT on Twitter
Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!
IGN RSS Feeds