Garden State is both written and directed by 2004, Scrubs star, Zach Braff. Filmed mostly in his hometown of South Orange, New Jersey. Zach Braff character Andrew Largeman is a failed actor struggling to find his footing in LA. Largeman returns to his hometown to attend his estranged mother’s funeral. Braff is joined by Natalie Portman, who steals the spotlight with her role as Sam, an unconventional mentally troubled girl who helps break Braff’s self-medicated walls and allow emotions to once again enter Braff’s life for better or worse. The struggles and depressed demeanor in which the film flows are what Braff has said to have felt on his way to Stardom.
Garden State budget was 2,500,000. For being a small budget, the director and film is supported by the overall natural beauty of the landscape and film cites. The hometown feels, created by Braff, welcomes us the viewer to a cast of unruly simpletons much more caught up in Lifes everyday struggles than to be bothered by the troubles facing Andrew Largeman. Garden States opening weekend internationally would bring in a low 201,115. The film has made 26,782,316 domestic since then, as well as 9,043,000 international. Garden State reaches out to 20 something year old’s and anyone caught in life’s repetitions to put forth the challenge of waking up from the comatose that is everyday life and embrace the Infinite Abyss. Garden State scored a 67 on Meta Critic. Rotten tomatoes 86% and IMDb 7.4/10.
The reception has been a bit of a rollercoaster starting out slow opening weekend then growing into a cult classic. In more recent years Garden State has been dissected and represents factors that some view as self-absorbed and emo. The movie often highlights Braff’s ability to reach an audience expecting more from the world which they are growing into.