Garden State
The film follows television bit part actor Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff) as he returns to his small home town in New Jersey to attend his mother's funeral after being estranged from his family for a decade.
29 November 1960
25 October 1973, New York City, New York, USA
13 September 1951, Seattle, Washington, USA
29 July 1972, Schenectady, New York, USA
31 May 1978, Suffern, New York, USA
7 March 1971, Belleville, Illinois, USA
28 February 1978, Manhattan, New York, USA
11 October 1937, New York City, New York, USA
17 January 1962, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
15 January 1980, Cedar Grove, New Jersey, USA
5 August 1979, New Jersey, USA
12 June 1986, Maplewood, New Jersey, USA
19 April 1977, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, USA
12 September 1931, Goodmayes, Essex, England, UK
September 24, 2010
It's no longer a generational alarm clock, but for those who've seen loved ones stumble through complacent fogs of Paxil, Zoloft and the like, "Garden State" still warns that "stability" doesn't mean a numbness to anything not emotionally even-keeled.April 29, 2009
There is not a shot in this movie that doesn't shine...April 18, 2009
Actor Zach Braff (NBC's "Scrubs") makes an impressive if unsatisfying writing and directing debut with a plaintive post-modern drama that relies on unspoken dry wit to entertain its audience (think a cross between "Harold and Maude" and "The Graduate").November 07, 2011
Although flawed, Garden State is a good-natured film whose very likeability leaves you willing to overlook its shortcomings.August 20, 2004
Cleverly written, sensitively directed and very well-acted.June 21, 2016
Braff captures the specific, self-involved ennui of the aimless 20-something, and he doesn't do it from a point of smug detachment.August 13, 2004
His movie is sweet-natured and skillful, but its biggest problem is perhaps one Braff wasn't prepared to deal with: his own performance -- or, more accurately, the decision to place a deliberately flat performance at the film's heart.February 09, 2006
This is a movie where 'sensitivity' and 'sincerity' are signposted by songs by Paul Simon and Nick Drake, which I guess says it all.December 24, 2010
Smart drama for mature older teens and up.September 10, 2004
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.August 13, 2004
Garden State may not define an entire generation, but it has a sharp eye for the passive aimlessness that can take hold when young adults realize there's no handbook on how to find purpose and meaning in life.March 26, 2009
Feels too piecemeal and ultimately inconsequential to grab the public where it counts.