Wow. Tonight I finally got to see this with the Tpeach. We saw the trailer for it last fall when we went to see Lost in Translation, a trailer that we both instantly fell in love with and have been pining for ever since. Well, I am more than happy to say that this movie not only met our very high expectations, but vastly exceeded them. I really didn't think that I'd find a movie that would knock Jersey Girl out of my number one movie slot for the year, the enormous Kevin Smith obsessive geek that I am, but this film was just so incredible on all levels.
I don't even know where to start. I am now a HUGE fan of Zach Braff, the writer/director/star of Garden State. I'm really interested in checking out his TV show, Scrubs, now just based on this movie. The mental journey that his character goes through is amazing, and utterly believable. Everything made sense and was logical, and was portrayed in vivid imagery and supported by amazing music. Watching his character go from the numb, drugged personality sitting still and calm on a crashing plane all the way to the nearly joyful, passionate person at the end of the film was just such a treat and Braff's performance was absolutely convincing.
The other revelation of this film was Natalie Portman. Now, I was already a big fan of hers, but WOW, this girl can really act. Her character was spunky, sweet, cute, and utterly honest (in a roundabout way ;-)). Everything about her was just so "real." Also, she (as Bitch put it to me), is just an amazing human. The way she looks at life and her ideas about the importance of being unique and happy were brilliant. Also, the key theme to the movie really stuck with me. The feeling of home, and the importance of it. The knowledge that it's not necessarily a physical place, as much as it is your company, and the feelings of happiness and pleasure that brings, and also how important it is in leading a truly happy life.
Beyond all of that is the amazing camera work, and imagery of the film. There were just countless "moments" throughout the film. Images that are ingrained in my mind, and have been running through my head ever since I walked out of the theatre. This is a truly amazing movie with many important ideas, thoughts, and messages conveyed through likable, unique, characters in an emotional, thought-provoking, original way. Check it out if you have any heart whatsoever. Oh, and it's also really funny. :-P
10/10 Awesomes
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