It always seems impressive when a TV actor makes the transition to the big screen, but to also write a script and direct it seems impossible. Impossible it is not, as Zach Braff was able to do all three triumphantly with “Garden State,” his directorial debut. The movie boasts perfect comedic timing, a feel-good plotline and a great soundtrack.
“Garden State,” while not original in its ideology, is conveyed realistically and in a way that is embraceable. Andrew, played by Zach Braff, has been medicated for most of his life, numb to the world and its emotions, because his father/therapist believes it to be the best way to make Andrew happy. Unfortunately, Andrew is not happy, which is the reason for his escape from his hometown in New Jersey to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles. When his mother drowns in her bathtub due to her condition as a paraplegic, Andrew must return home and face his past demons. The movie follows Andrew on a journey toward self-happiness and a life without medication. He runs into old friends, who take him back to his adolescence. He meets Samantha (played by Natalie Portman), a pathological liar with a conscience, who makes him discover life all over again. In her and his old friends he finds the happiness the medicine his father prescribed could never give him.
Braff makes the plot line surprising and believable. Maybe due to his writing skills or his ability to pick great actors, but each of the characters can be related to, especially as a college student. With his directorial debut, Braff shows the audience he isn’t scared to take some risks, as the plot line has its own twist that gives the movie added depth. The film never asks too much of the audience in what they are willing to believe because he creates a world that could have very well existed many times before.
Braff makes Andrew a man devoid of emotion, working hard to find some, and he plays the mundane character well. He’s solid but bland. When he finally discovers that he does have some emotion and experiences what it is like to actually feel them, Braff doesn’t change the character too much, except for a few outbreaks once or twice. This may be the one downfall of the movie: that Andrew doesn’t seem to change much, even though he somehow does seem to start feeling things again. How is this possible? How can one stay so boring once they’ve discovered a life once forgotten?
However, Natalie Portman’s portrayal of Sam is entirely phenomenal. She gives the character flair, always with a smile that makes her eccentricities lovable and real. The chemistry between Samantha and Andrew is enlightening because it’s not all about sex and love but about finding out who you are and where you belong. Portman plays Samantha’s character as a girl looking to be original in the world and finding that it isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. She helps Andrew discover, however, that sometimes being original is better then blending in.
The movie allows for self-doubt and almost relishes it. It leaves the viewer with the feeling that everything doesn’t need to be figured out at once, that life is constant self-discovery. The music helps aid the flow and gives the film yet another character.
The soundtrack to the film makes the movie that much better and is good in its own right. Each track carries with it an original melody, interesting lyrics and memories of enlightenment from the film. Featuring up-and-coming artist like the Shins and Frou Frou, it gives the listener some new tastes and happy vibes.
The Shins have two of their songs featured on the album. One of them, “New Slang,” is reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel (who also have a track on the album). It opens harmoniously with a gentle guitar and soft wooing. The guitar is joined by more melody and a soft but steady drum beat. With the chorus chanting, “If you turn to me like a girl takes to the wind/Well I’d have jumped from my tree/And I’d dance like the king of the eyesores,” it is ambiguous, but it is sung with such tranquility that it makes the song soothing and happy.
Frou Frou, a popular British singer, lends her vocal style with the song “Let Go.” The song has a symphonic flow mixed with psychedelic backgrounds, giving it an empowering and engulfing feeling. Her voice, although airy, is compelling and subtle, contributing to the music instead of the usual reverse. The chorus, “So let go/Jump in/What are you waiting for/It’s all right/There’s beauty in the breakdown,” seems like the theme for the movie. The song rejoices in giving in and while it seems like a depressing idea, the song is so all-consuming that letting go is all too easy.
Remy Zero’s track “Fair” is slow and deep in a way that’s not profound but makes you want to listen for a long time. The guitar on this track is simple but beautiful and the drums, which queue in at the chorus, lift the spirits, slowly and climactically. As the song leads up to the chorus, “So what if you catch me/Where would we live?” the listener is brought from contentment to pure joy. The tempo, melody and simple instrumentals are combined to create a slow song with high impact.
The music gives the film a hand in creating a feel-good vibe. Zach Braff shows his cinematic knowledge and has a strong ability to capture his listeners and keep them captivated. What’s more, he leaves a smile on their faces.
Movie grade: A/B
Soundtrack grade: A
