old movie reviews: garden state
Zach Braff, you are not blowing my mind, so take that smug look off your face. Yes, we're a numb generation. Though you took that quite literally (it's not just an emotional numbness, it's actual physical overmedicated numbness. get it? is this clear enough?), I will cede the point. How your character gets out of this numbness though...that's where we're going to have to chat. Because I just don't think surrounding yourself with contrived "quirky" friends who speak in platitudes, regardless of how adorable they are, is compelling. Yelling in a garbage bag...not compelling. The narrative of this movie relies on your character's journey and on the changes he makes. Changes are made, but why? How are they earned? Through the sage words of a hippy in a dried up boat house?
It's true, Garden State may have been ruined for me by the hype. For the love of Pete, Rotten Tomatoes gave it an 87% (now THAT blows my mind). Still, I can't help but think that it should have been right up my alley. A talky look at directionless 20-somethings? I'm there! Oh wait. A talky look at directionless 20-somethings without the humor of Kicking and Screaming, the drama of Fight Club, or the great Portman performance of Beautiful Girls? I just don't get it. Seriously, explain it to me, someone.
Whereas rotten tomatoes gave your favorite "Travel Pants" movie (so nice you saw it twice and forced your increasingly gay husband to watch it) a shocking 79%. Same as the first Harry Potter. So who knows whats going on over there.
Posted by: M Willy B | January 19, 2006 at 06:54 PM
Explanation:
It's a funny movie that also keeps a person's interest all the way through.
The end
Honestly, I liked it a lot. It was quirky and different, and the comedy was original. As for the ending, if I can learn and grow as a person because of some words from a measley construction worker I'm working with, what's wrong with a hippy in a dried-up boat? It was the combination of all his experiences and thinking which brought him back up. It all just happened to click when the hippy in the dried-up boat gave him some cheesy advice. Sometimes things work like that.
Posted by: paul | January 19, 2006 at 08:52 PM
Was it really funny? Because the few parts that were I really enjoyed, but they got entirely bogged down by all the seriousness and lesson learning. It was just so self-aware.
Posted by: employeemegan | January 19, 2006 at 11:10 PM
And p.s., sorry to JD, because I know he's going to hate this post.
Posted by: employeemegan | January 19, 2006 at 11:15 PM
Why am I afraid Zach Braff's claim to fame is going to be a singular sensation?
Yes, writing team of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck...I'm pointing the finger at YOU.
Posted by: Janet | January 24, 2006 at 07:28 PM
at least it has a good soundtrack.....
Posted by: a reader | January 27, 2006 at 02:35 AM