The Times bfi
London Film Festival 2004

Garden State
Zach Braff

Alan Docherty

Not satisfied with playing JD in the hit TV show Scrubs, Zach Braff wrote, directed and stars in Garden State. He plays Andrew Largeman, a struggling actor who, sedated by the anti-depressants prescribed by his psychiatrist father, ekes out an existence as a waiter. Estranged from his family, he returns only to attend the funeral of his mother.

Back home, in New Jersey, Largeman's journey really begins. In a series of hilarious scenes we are introduced to Largeman's former acquaintances each more frustrated than the last. Not only are they bored and unfilled but they are also resigned to a life of disappointment. To his credit, Braff succeeds in making this an entertaining story with his sharp attention to the absurd and a series of glorious visual gags.

Just as Garden State seems to be bustling along into an acutely observed comedy about human fulfilment Largeman bumps into Natalie Portman and Garden State promptly becomes a love story. Yuk.

The introduction of Portman is used as a device to escape from the difficult questions raised in the first half of the film. What are we to do with frustrated ambition? If money doesn't bring happiness, what will? Despite a fabulous performance from Portman, the love story leaves the viewer feeling shortchanged. Nevertheless, for the 29-year-old's feature first effort this is a very promising debut.