Garden State

Garden State - ****1/2

Garden State is the superbly written and directed debut of Zach Braff, who plays JD Dorian on NBC's Scrubs. It is both poignant and hilarious, sweet and sad; all the while enhanced with a savvy soundtrack that compliments the film's mood. The acting performances are really what makes Garden State such a gem. Natalie Portman plays by far her most original character to date, and manages to remain sweet while playing a noticeably unperfect person. Peter Sarsgaard is obviously brilliant, although one has come to expect such from the man who I consider to be the most talented actor in the business today. Ian Holm is the hidden gem of the film, playing the distraught and confused father of Braff's Andrew Largeman, seeing medication as the answer to his son's problems. Rarely has such a sweet ode to one's birthplace been made, and Zach Braff's debut film ensures that he will be around for a long time. Thumbs up, although I want to see the film again before I say too much more.