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Garden State

Garden State

2004
Romance, Comedy
1h 42m
Andrew Largeman (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. When he travels from L.A. back to his hometown, he meets Sam (Portman), a girl who is everything he isn't. Her warmth and fearlessness give him the courage to open his heart to the joy and pain of the infinite abyss that is life. (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
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Garden State

2004
Romance, Comedy
1h 42m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 53.04% from 9544 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(9544)
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Rated 13 Feb 2010
4
35th
It's one of those "comedies" where no one ever laughs and has some of this wannabe indie music. "Here listen to this, it will change your life." Then she makes him listen to The Shins. hahahahaha, yeah the shins will change your life people. rofl, that part was such a joke. I also vaguely remember a scene where Zach Braff takes some ecstasy and cries or something. I cringed at how bland and predictable the 2 main characters are. It's basically 04's Juno, and I hate that shit.
Rated 02 Mar 2010
55
19th
This is one of those films made purely to appeal to hipsters and indie film buffs. There's a lot of pensive looks, knowing smiles, and quirky lines of dialog that's supposed to demonstrate the superior intellect and acerbic wit of the characters. How charming and witty..I mean how completely mediocre and formulaic. The "infinite abyss" is the creative blackhole generated by this film.
Rated 23 Mar 2007
100
99th
Zach Braff delivers on every level. Both moving and cheerful, Garden State masterfully explores the everyday existence of the youth of today as they reach significant roadblocks in life. Braff does not stop there, with his unique approach to humour he will cleanse your soul and with his exquisitely crafted drama will open windows into the unexplored regions of the human mind. A life changing experience and perhaps an artistic statement that will stand beside the great works of human kind.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
32
3rd
I can't say this was a BAD movie, but it was terribly trite, and rather familiar. Lonely, depressed, disillusioned guy meets off-beat, carefree girl who teaches him how to enjoy life. Loaded with brilliant insights such as, "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." Wow, that's deep. Natalie Portman is truly awful, and the hipster indie-folk soundtrack is annoying, too.
Rated 30 Aug 2009
15
4th
This movie angers me more than it should. I just don't like watching music videos with small acting interludes nor to I appreciate bite-sized, adolescent philosophy, what can I say? I'm uncultured like that.
Rated 04 Apr 2011
40
32nd
THE SHINS CHANGED MY LIFE.
Rated 17 Dec 2006
60
23rd
Like American Beauty did before it, Garden State really wants to be meaningful and profound, but it ends up coming off as rather trite. And Natalie Portman is no good at all here. On the more positive side, Zach Braff's character is quite likeable and easy to identify with, and the movie does have a pretty good sense of humor.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
38
9th
If you like eccentric, Wes Anderson emulation and shoegazer indie music, you probably will or already love this. For everyone else, this movie becomes extremely easy to be disgusted by.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
48th
Disguised as a super original love story, this film is secretly one of the sappiest movies ever. It stll retains good humor and has a good soundtrack along with having a very solid first half. It just kinda slopes down after that as it draws itself into its own eternal abyss. Meh!
Rated 23 Nov 2008
30
14th
Verrrrry overrated and people are still obsessed with the totally rad indie soundtrack.
Rated 04 Aug 2010
68
36th
Interesting premise - Braff's awakening from phamacologically-induced emotional numbness. But suffers badly from indie cliches - the cute and quirky girl to rescue the misunderstood nerd. Like American Beauty, the protagonist's recovery is satisfying to watch, but about as realistic as a Mills and Boon novel. Still, a cracking performance from Sarsgaard, and some laugh out loud moments.
Rated 02 Dec 2006
2
21st
While there is some intellectual value, it's not nearly as profound as it makes itself out to be. Braff's script is competent, but at times way too corny. His direction is less impressive and completely unremarkable. Peter Sarsgaard is the best thing about the whole movie.
Rated 02 May 2007
25
20th
Good luck exploring the infinite abyss, says Peter Sarsgaard in the faux-existentialist finale. When applied to this movie, this actually represents some good advice.
Rated 27 Jun 2007
69
47th
I'm pretty neutral to this one, actually. Some good scenes, some bad ones. It's watchable and reasonably well paced, and it doesn't make me spew vitriol at it, but it's still just kind of average.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
42
25th
Emo date movie. Got laid after seeing it. no other reason to see this film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
81st
surprisingly, very good
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
67th
Incredible acting in a very original story! It's a joy to see what Natalie Portman can do in a role that has some substance to it!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
67
52nd
It's sloppy, I have to admit it. I was wowed on the first viewing, less so the next two times. But it's quite and charming nonetheless, and you can't fault Braff too much for his decisions.
Rated 28 Nov 2007
75
58th
Frankly, not all that funny, but the film spoke to me with great acting by all leads involved.
Rated 30 Dec 2007
47
22nd
A competent romantic comedy for people in their young 20's, until the terrible ending that I still can't appreciate at all.
Rated 08 Apr 2008
75
71st
The movie has many interesting dialogs, is exciting. Only what in the end should have something more different, more shocking, to stay in the rhythm of the movie.
Rated 30 Dec 2008
25
9th
Pretentious and annoying. Nothing good about the story or characters. The script is silly beyond the acceptable. It's intellectual fodder for 14 year olds.
Rated 10 Jan 2009
100
98th
Full of moods and music. Charmingly painful, playful... and true to life. Introducing Zach Braff as himself.
Rated 25 Aug 2009
0
1st
If I could meet Zack Braff, I would induce vomiting just so I could throw up all over him.
Rated 29 Aug 2009
20
8th
Zach Braff is a creepy douche who makes movies so he can play kissy-face with girls that are too young for him.
Rated 08 Dec 2009
0
1st
Balls.
Rated 19 Jan 2010
15
8th
lmao "this song will change your life"
Rated 28 Mar 2010
0
3rd
One of the lamest things I've ever seen in my life, and I've seen a fat kid try to push himself in a red wagon with a boat oar.
Rated 29 Mar 2011
74
54th
If I wrote and directed a movie where I could get a bunch of famous people to be in it, I would write one with Natalie Portman as my love interest too.
Rated 21 Sep 2011
100
94th
One of my all-time favorite movies. It's melancholy but is also quite quirky and very charming
Rated 30 Apr 2012
0
0th
Oh god. Give me a break, Braff.
Rated 07 Aug 2012
58
31st
'Garden State' has a certain charm to it but there's not enough laughs and too many needless epihanies. Both of the lead characters range from likeable to extremely grating, which becomes tiresome. The soundtrack has been praised by some but I can't see how it's justified. Like the movie, it's a little over-rated and wants to be deeper than it is.
Rated 13 Oct 2012
70
57th
At first view: strange characters, boring plot. But finally, after watching and thinking about this movie, Garden State is an unique, interesting indie-romance with a great soundtrack. - In total: Good.
Rated 18 Jan 2013
21
2nd
"Hey, my name is Zack Braff. Look how indie my new indie movie is. Indie."
Rated 13 Oct 2014
45
9th
Sentimental bullshit. Probably hyped during it's initial release because of Natalie Portman's ridiculous quirkiness and Zach Braff's status as comedy golden boy, but these old tricks simply don't cut it anymore nowadays. Terrible last half hour with a load of childish monologues I consider to be among the most cringeworthy I've ever seen. And fuck the shins.
Rated 30 Nov 2006
100
98th
This is not just a nice little film, this is - I feel - the film of my generation and I never get bored of seeing it. A modern masterpiece and highly underappreciated.
Rated 10 Dec 2006
86
67th
fucking awesome soundtrack
Rated 12 Dec 2006
80
55th
"It says 'BALLS' on your face."
Rated 12 Dec 2006
96
99th
Great movie about depression and human relationships that hits a lot of good notes, mixing in a sprinkling of humour. Yes the ending is imperfect but it's a fitting thematic conclusion. I suppose it's fair to accuse it of trying a bit too hard stylistically and being a tad on the nose in some of its observations, but none of that really mattered to me.
Rated 14 Dec 2006
50
8th
I like movies that aren't about anything but then have a really good "moral" this had nothing
Rated 18 Dec 2006
72
55th
It's refreshing to see Zach Braff show a different side to his comedy, showing a sensitive and thoughtful style as opposed to his slapstick and overblown antics in Scrubs. While at times the story seems to be a mere vehicle for Braff to make out with Natalie Portman, over all I thoroughly enjoyed this. Definitely worth seeing.
Rated 20 Dec 2006
97
97th
One of the most touching and honest love stories ever filmed.
Rated 22 Dec 2006
94
93rd
Don't be a hater, this is a great film. If only Natalie was this good in Star Wars...
Rated 28 Dec 2006
87
67th
so much better than i expected. though i probably only enjoyed it because i'm in my early twenties.
Rated 15 Jan 2007
78
36th
Good, but a bit too emo for my taste.
Rated 26 Jan 2007
90
83rd
A wonderful film with great story and character development. The acting is superb as well. I love watching the interaction between the two main characters. Specifically the protagonist as we see him "discover" what life is really about after he stops taking his medication.
Rated 17 Feb 2007
62
36th
Despite the fine performances, the screenplay seems, overall, too contrived and student-film to be taken as seriously as it seems to aspire to be.
Rated 21 Feb 2007
60
62nd
Great film.
Rated 24 Feb 2007
85
80th
One of the greatest soundtracks in movie history that compliments a movie that feels like a song. You remember the best scenes while others can get lost in the mix of movies similar to it. However those scenes that do stand out are among some of the most memorable.
Rated 27 Feb 2007
5
20th
a film created solely so that zach braff could shove his tongue down natalie portman's throat
Rated 04 Mar 2007
1
17th
The soundtrack uses good music in a poor way, for the most parts. Some scenes succeed at being emotionally moving, but an equal amount of scenes are just embarrassing. The ending is insanely bad and predictable, almost like a parody.
Rated 19 Mar 2007
50
20th
Very awkward movie that would have been more interesting if the cast didn't suck.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
50
17th
Zach Braff is a vastly overrated: 1. Writer 2. Actor 3. Director
Rated 26 Mar 2007
80
77th
I love Natalie Portman. I mean, LOVE. I'd divorce my wife to marry her if she'd have me. And she wouldn't even have to be that faithful, as long as she paid me at least a little bit of attention. FUCK. This movie also introduced me to the Shins.
Rated 25 Apr 2007
38
8th
I'm honestly not sure what so many people see in this film. Braff is insufferable, and Portman is trying entirely too hard to be 'quirky' and 'weird', but it mostly just came off as annoying.
Rated 28 Apr 2007
70
30th
Entertaining, though Braff is a piece of shit.
Rated 12 May 2007
70
64th
- highly recommended :: This movie tries way too hard to be exactly what everyone claims that it is. It's not bad, but - like Sideways - doesn't really live up to the hype. I think some of that hype is probably due to the soundtrack... and while the songs work in the film, none of them really worked for me personally.
Rated 26 Jun 2007
0
2nd
Fucking awful.
Rated 03 Jul 2007
65
15th
Aside from the rich friend who invented silent Velcro and the gravedigger who stole things from the dead, this movie blew Braff is a douche.
Rated 11 Jul 2007
2
33rd
A little too cute and "quirky." When they put the trash bags on and started yelling into the rain I felt really squirmy in my seat and my ears got hot. Ugh. That scene was very corny. A good way to pass the time and little more.
Rated 20 Jul 2007
65
15th
Compelling moments, thin plot overall.
Rated 20 Jul 2007
60
57th
Enjoyable. Not bad. Natalie Portman came off as a bit "touched", a bit "special", but this was a decent first effort from Zach Braff. Needed WAY more Peter Sarsgaard, though.
Rated 25 Jul 2007
45
21st
I like it less each time I view it. Pretty weak story. Terrible dialogue. Poor soundtrack.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
72
26th
Didn't live up to the hype
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
84th
"Discovering yourself" movies are a dime a dozen. But genuinely funny, touching "discovering yourself" movies with a bit of romance mixed in for good measure? Much more rare. I'm not a fan of scrubs, but Zach Braff did an amazing job here.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
53rd
Sometimes this film tries a little too hard, but overall, pretty enjoyable.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
77
63rd
Nice movie.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
45
5th
Garden State, the acclaimed directorial debut from Zach Braff is did not score too highly with me. It was very pretentious and trying to be artsy to appeal to people. I found the lead character to be annoying and self-centerd. Natalie Portman puts in a good performance though. The film itself is simply pointless to me.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
27th
Emo kids need only apply.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
87
94th
This movie was not what I expected from the guy from Scrubs but it was surprisingly good. It was a very moving film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
25th
Had its moments, but not as funny as I had hoped.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
74
70th
It was cute.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
31st
Do you like emo?
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
98th
Compelling, humorous, and completely original! Zach Braff is something special, and it shines through in this film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
3
6th
An awful debut film. Stale as the loaf of bread that's been sitting around my kitchen for a month. Any film student can play things in slow motion.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
33
6th
Plain and simple masturbation.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
53rd
Too Cute
Rated 14 Aug 2007
55
34th
I love Zach Braff, but I didn't love his directorial debut. It was a little too...self-concious for me. Peter Sarsgaard, however, was a delight to watch. For him alone, I'm upping my initial rating from a 60 to a 65. But, then, there's Natalie Portman which is an automatic -10. Sorry, Peter!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
93
99th
Braff's performance and direction are amazing, especially in his first major motion film. Elements of 'Scrubs' are visible (to die-hard followers). The soundtrack is the best in the last decade (of modern music). Kudos to Natalie for throwing off the Star Wars curse. A shame that he's going to try the exact same formula for every single one of his movies for the next decade (confused guy meets girl who seems 'different', with a soundtrack of last year's top 10 indie songs)
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
38th
Not a great film, but I feel it gets a bad wrap. Also, I like Zack Braff.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
79
50th
pretty good, the whole emotioinally detached thing was bugging me throughout though.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
92
88th
Who doesn't love Zach Braff?
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
61st
Entertaining movie about the existential crisis that we face once we encounter the real world.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
98
95th
A funny and truthful film about feeling after years of inability, and how love can quickly affect your life.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
81
63rd
Horrible sappy ending, but the rest is incredibly enjoyable and funny. Portman and Sarsgard's performances are the real standouts.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
49th
Nothing is really outstanding in garden state, as the plot is small while the acting acting is good.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
83
83rd
Great in a completely unrealistic way. Besides, what is hotter than Natalie Portman in a helmet.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
67
37th
A very honest film with beautiful cinematography. I didn't personally identify with the over-medicated main character, but appreciated his experiences nontheless.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
59th
This movie has acquired considerable backlash after its immediate popularity, and it's now quite trendy to dislike it. While it's not a great movie, certainly not in the same league as the excellent "The Graduate", it's very entertaining, Sarsgaard is wonderful, and Braff has a great sense of comic timing.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
58th
Ya, you know it wasn't that bad. Kind of slow at parts, kind of wandering, but overall not bad.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
55
26th
Crazy overrated. Tries a little too hard, and while that yields a few geuinely good scenes, there are plenty of annoying parts.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
58
21st
People liked this movie? Not me... over hyped. Too artsy, no substance.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
56th
Decent little indie flick. I enjoyed it, though I could see certain other people not really getting it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
56th
The first half is great, but it starts to lose a lot of steam in the last 45 minutes or so. It's a fun movie, but I wish the ending would have been less sappy and dull.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
96th
Wow. Natalie and Zach do a wonderful job on-screen. A coming-of-age tale that makes you smile and tear up at the same time.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
81
63rd
This smash-hit (well, for an indie film at least) delivers pretty well. It's an interesting and entertaining movie but it isn't as amazing as a lot of people tend to portray it as being.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
91st
It's unpopular to like this movie in some circles, but the fact remains: Braff attempted to show people that movies like The Graduate were still relevant, and it shows that he has some serious talent.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
63
40th
Most of these points go to Natalie Portman.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
81st
The angst of oddball 20somethings is not a new subject for film, but the execution here makes Garden State more than just a great soundtrack. Natalie Portman is utterly charming.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
97th
This film is a really neat exploration of the subjects drugs and happiness. The conversations the characters have are thought provoking and entertaining. But what really makes this movie work is Natalie Portman. She plays such a sweet, nice and likeable character in this movie. She seems like she'd be cool to hang out with and she keeps the movie a bit cheery when it would otherwise be kind of a downer.

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