Garden State (2004)

Director:

Zach Braff

Writer (WGA):

Zach Braff (written by)

Release Date:

22 September 2004 (Trinidad And Tobago)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot:

A quietly troubled young man returns home for his mother's funeral after being estranged from his family for a decade.

Plot Keywords:

Home | Actor | Psychiatrist | Fate | Knight

Awards:

11 wins & 25 nominations

Cast

Zach Braff	...	Andrew Largeman
Kenneth Graymez	...	Busboy
George C. Wolfe	...	Restaurant Manager
Austin Lysy	...	Waiter
Gary Gilbert	...	Young Hollywood Guy
Jill Flint	...	Obnoxious Girl
Ian Holm	...	Gideon Largeman
Peter Sarsgaard	...	Mark
Alex Burns	...	Dave
Jackie Hoffman	...	Aunt Sylvia Largeman
Michael Weston	...	Kenny
Christopher Carley	...	Gleason Party Drunk (as Chris Carley)
Armando Riesco	...	Jesse
Amy Ferguson	...	Dana
Trisha LaFache	...	Kelly
Jim Parsons	...	Tim
Jean Smart	...	Carol
Yvette Mercedes	...	Neurology Receptionist
Jayne Houdyshell	...	Mrs. Lubin
Natalie Portman	...	Sam
Ron Leibman	...	Dr. Cohen
Ann Dowd	...	Olivia
Ato Essandoh	...	Titembay
Wynter Kullman	...	Pam
Geoffrey Arend	...	Karl Benson
Soara-Joy Ross	...	Handi-World Cashier
Ryan B. Moschetti	...	Teen in Hallway
Method Man	...	Diego
Joe Bacino	...	Man Having Sex
Tracey Antosiweicz	...	Hooker
Seth Michael May	...	Peeping Tom
Denis O'Hare	...	Albert
Debbon Ayer	...	Faye
Ice	...	Arthur-the-Dog
Magoo	...	Masturbating Dog
Janine Strafaci	...	Herself - News 12 New Jersey News Anchor (archive footage) (voice)
Kurt Siegelin	...	Himself - News 12 New Jersey News Anchor (archive footage) (as Kurt Sirgelin)
Mark Murphy	...	Himself - News 12 New Jersey Meteorologist (archive footage)
Joanna Leslie	...	Skating Gator (archive footage)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Pamela Abdy	...	Casting Assistant (uncredited)
Marc Alan Austen	...	Cemetery Rabbi (uncredited)
David Barroso	...	Joe Customer (uncredited)
Courtney Delong	...	Girl in pool scene (uncredited)
James Ecklund	...	Bored Actor (uncredited)
Lori Finkel	...	Party Extra (uncredited)
Ben Hauck	...	Sleeping Actor (uncredited)
Jakob Hawkins	...	Waiter (uncredited)
Joe Ho	...	Restaurant Boss (voice) (uncredited)
Jennifer Johns	...	Party Girl (uncredited)
Michael Marinoff	...	Kaufman (uncredited)
Lisa Soule	...	Crying Mom with Baby (uncredited)

Directed by
Zach Braff

Writing credits (WGA)
Zach Braff		(written by)

Produced by
Pamela Abdy	....	producer
Bill Brown	....	co-producer
Danny DeVito	....	executive producer
Gary Gilbert	....	producer
Dan Halsted	....	producer
Richard Klubeck	....	producer
Ann Ruark	....	line producer
Michael Shamberg	....	executive producer
Stacey Sher	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Chad Fischer

Cinematography by
Lawrence Sher		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Myron I. Kerstein		(as Myron Kerstein)

Casting by
Avy Kaufman

Production Design by
Judy Becker

Art Direction by
Laura Ballinger

Set Decoration by
Heather Loeffler

Costume Design by
Michael Wilkinson

Makeup Department
Robin Day	....	additional hair stylist
Jason Hayes	....	additional hair stylist
Kabuki	....	additional makeup artist
Kathleen Karridene	....	makeup artist: Los Angeles
Corinna Liebel	....	hair stylist: Los Angeles (as Karina Liebel)
Evelyne Noraz	....	key makeup artist
Dina Sliwak	....	additional makeup artist (as Dina Sliwiak)
Gianna Sparacino	....	key hair stylist
Davion Edwards	....	assistant hair stylist (uncredited)
Eleanor Sabaduquia	....	makeup artist: Los Angeles pickups (uncredited)

Production Management
Meryl Emmerton	....	production manager
Michael Williams	....	unit production manager: Los Angeles

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Alyson Latz	....	second assistant director
Michael Lerman	....	first assistant director
Joe Smalley	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
George Abdy	....	art department assistant
Jill Alexander	....	property master
Martin Bernstein	....	key carpenter
Coburn Boyd	....	on-set dresser
Ethan Brooke	....	art department assistant
Jason Brown	....	swing gang
Bear Davies	....	swing gang
Bill Davis	....	prop master: Los Angeles
Mike Dickman	....	swing gang
Emily Gaunt	....	charge scenic
Gerald Gloster	....	construction grip
Paul W. Gorfine	....	scenic (as Paul Gorfine)
C.J. Howard	....	swing gang (as CJ Howard)
Jesse Kaufmann	....	art department assistant
Katie Kemsley	....	scenic
Beth Kuhn	....	scenic
Edmund Levine	....	assistant property master
Chris Wolfgang Mauch	....	storyboard artist (as Christopher Wolfgang Mauch)
Brad Morrison	....	set decorator: Los Angeles
Jane Nelson	....	scenic
Celia Parker	....	camera scenic
James Pesce	....	leadman (as Jim Pesce)
Jagger Potter	....	art department assistant
Peter Regnier	....	swing gang
Rosalie Russino	....	scenic (as Rosalile Rusino)
Stephen Shapiro	....	carpenter
Larry Steinberg	....	key construction grip
Sylvia Trapanese	....	scenic foreman
Jill Bream	....	art department assistant (uncredited)

Sound Department
James Bailey	....	foley artist
Steve Bartkowicz	....	re-recording engineer
Weldon Brown	....	adr mixer: Los Angeles
John W. Cook II	....	sound re-recording mixer (as John W. Cooke II)
Larry Ellena	....	sound recordist
Mitch Gettleman	....	supervising sound editor (as Mitchell C. Gettleman)
Jeff Gunn	....	foley supervisor
James B. Howe	....	foley mixer (as James Howe)
Ken Ishii	....	sound mixer
Daryl Lathrop	....	adr recordist: Los Angeles
Jeff Malham	....	re-recording engineer
Steve Morantz	....	production sound mixer: Los Angeles (as Steven Morantz)
Peter Nusbaum	....	sound effects editor (as Peter J. Nusbaum)
Peter Nusbaum	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Peter J. Nusbaum)
Whitney Purple	....	sound recordist
Alex Raspa	....	adr recordist: New York
Schavaria Reeves	....	boom operator
David Ruth	....	dialogue editor
Clint Smith	....	foley artist (as Clinton Smith)
Karl Wasserman	....	boom operator
Kirsty Wilson	....	intern: Todd A-O
Paul J. Zydel	....	adr mixer: New York (as Paul Zydel)
John Cook	....	sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)
David Ruth	....	dialogue mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Kim Englehart	....	effects technician: Los Angeles
Josh Hakian	....	effects coordinator: Los Angeles
Drew Jiritano	....	effects coordinator
Josh Hakian	....	special photographic effects (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Rocco Gioffre	....	visual effects supervisor: Svengali Visual Effects
Travis Dutch	....	scanning and recording (uncredited)
Jamie Venable	....	visual effects producer: Svengali Visual Effects (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Bill Almeida	....	best boy electric
Tony Arnaud	....	grip
K.C. Bailey	....	still photographer
Katherine M. Butler	....	first assistant camera (as Kate Butler)
Gregory Cahill	....	dolly grip (as Greg Cahill)
Michael Callaghan	....	second assistant camera
Steve Charnow	....	electrician: Los Angeles
James Domorski	....	24 frame video operator
Devin Donegan	....	video playback operator
Chris Drechsler	....	generator operator
Jeffrey B. Gregg	....	key grip: Los Angeles (as Jeffrey Gregg)
Bryan Haigh	....	camera loader: Los Angeles (as Brian Haigh)
Chip Hart	....	best boy grip: Los Angeles
Sandy Hays	....	Steadicam operator (as Sandy Hayes)
Sandy Hays	....	camera operator: "a" camera (as Sandy Hayes)
Gary Hildebrand	....	electrician
Jasper Johnson	....	grip
Zsolt Kadar	....	first assistant camera: Los Angeles
John Keating	....	grip
Stan Keitt	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Mary Latvis	....	second assistant camera
Rick Lawrence	....	grip: Los Angeles (as Frederick Lawrence)
Dennis A. Livesey	....	camera operator: "b" camera (as Dennis Livesey)
Courtney Moser	....	second assistant camera: Los Angeles
Iain O'Higgins	....	electrician: Los Angeles
Sean Peacock	....	electrician: Los Angeles
John R. Priebe	....	gaffer: Los Angeles (as John Priebe)
Finn Riley	....	video playback: Los Angeles
Joe Romeo	....	best boy electric: Los Angeles
Jerry Sandager	....	grip: Los Angeles
Charles Sherron	....	key grip
Richie Sherron	....	grip
Melissa Soltis	....	film loader
Larry Sweet	....	dolly grip: Los Angeles
Niknaz Tavakolian	....	film loader
Mark van Rossen	....	electrician (as Mark Van Rossen)
John Velez	....	gaffer
Paul Volo	....	best boy grip
Kia Dawson	....	second assistant camera (uncredited)
Chris Drechsler	....	lamp operator (uncredited)
Andy C. Huber	....	gaffer: additional photography (uncredited)
David Irwin	....	gaffer: additional photography (uncredited)
Chan Jeon	....	additional grip (uncredited)
Christopher Kiso	....	best boy electric: additional photography (uncredited)
Michael Kleiman	....	additional first assistant camera: Los Angeles (uncredited)
Darrin Smith	....	lamp operator (uncredited)
Perry Unjang	....	additional grip (uncredited)

Casting Department
Cody P. Beke	....	casting assistant
Jessica Daniels	....	casting associate
Karen E. Etcoff	....	extras casting: KEE Casting
Bill Tripician	....	extras casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Christina Afferholder	....	wardrobe assistant: Los Angeles (as Christina Affholder)
Rebecca Bentjen	....	assistant costume designer
Catherine George	....	assistant costume designer
Kathy Karbowski	....	wardrobe assistant
Roopa Kosuri	....	wardrobe assistant
Catherine Osborne	....	wardrobe assistant
Kate Quinlan	....	wardrobe supervisor
Christine Schultz	....	costume tailor/cutter (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Rachel Goodlett	....	first assistant editor
Michael Hatzer	....	color timer
Mo Henry	....	negative cutter
David O. Rogers	....	assistant editor: New York (as David Rogers)
Kaylie Schiff	....	editorial intern
Yuko Yokoyama	....	editorial intern
Michael R. Taylor	....	post-production assistant (uncredited)

Music Department
Buck Damon	....	music supervisor
David Nadal	....	guitar coach: Mr. Sarsgaard
Amanda Scheer-Demme	....	music supervisor (as Amanda Scheer Demme)
Zach Braff	....	executive soundtrack producer (uncredited)

Transportation Department
William Baker	....	driver (as Bill C. Baker)
Jon Bell	....	driver: Los Angeles
Ralph Devivo	....	driver (as Ralph DeVivo)
Mario Estarella	....	driver: Los Angeles (as Mario Estrello)
George Grenier	....	driver
Micky Hohl	....	set production assistant driver
Eugene O'Neill	....	transportation captain (as Gene O'Neil)
Peter Reith	....	transportation co-captain

Other crew
Tara Andrus	....	assistant production coordinator
Sunny Antrim	....	key set production assistant
Charmaine Boos	....	welfare worker: Los Angeles
Jason Boshart	....	additional set production assistant
Jack Ciano	....	craft service: Los Angeles
Jack Ciano	....	set medic: Los Angeles
Alison S. Cohen	....	production legal: Epstein, Levinsohn, Bodine, Hurwitz & Weinstein (as Alison Cohen)
Richard Craig	....	production assistant: Los Angeles (as Ted Craig)
Sarah Curran	....	production assistant: Los Angeles
Betsy Davis	....	set production assistant
David De Filippis	....	production assistant: Los Angeles
Erin Dicker	....	assistant: Ms. Sher
Amanda Dragon	....	assistant: Mr. DeVito
Leo Driver	....	parking coordinator
Steve Faughnan	....	location assistant
John B. Finn	....	post-production accountant (as John Finn)
Charlotte Fleck	....	dialect coach: Mr. Holm
Ken Franchi	....	assistant: Ms. Abdy
Amanda Goodman	....	office production assistant
Andrew D. Goodman	....	office production assistant
Steve Gould	....	production coordinator: Los Angeles
Gabe Greenberg	....	location scout
Terry Gusto	....	location consultant: Los Angeles
Laura Hahn	....	additional set production assistant
Traci Hainsworth	....	production resources
Philip Andrew Hall	....	assistant: Mr. Halsted
Joseph Helmreich	....	set intern
Sean Hogan	....	production accountant
Andrew Hurwitz	....	production legal: Epstein, Levinsohn, Bodine, Hurwitz & Weinstein
Joe Kelly	....	location scout
Jonathan Knopf	....	director: News 12 New Jersey News Footage
Kim Kraftsky	....	animal trainer (as Kim Krafsky)
Ronnie Kupferwasser	....	location manager
Megan Levine	....	set intern
Mat Lynch	....	set production assistant
M.J. Magbanua	....	production coordinator
Patrick Mahoney	....	craft service
Seth Marshall	....	assistant: Mr. Gilbert
Darren Maynard	....	set production assistant
Steve McAuliff	....	animal trainer
Kimberly Metsch	....	additional set production assistant (as Kim Metsch)
Lia Mijangos	....	assistant: Mr. Halsted
Frank Murray	....	assistant production accountant
Genevieve Norante	....	skating liaison: Essex Skating Club
Peter Pastorelli	....	assistant location manager
David Posamentier	....	assistant: Mr. Braff
Christina Schaich	....	office production assistant
Elliot Schimel	....	set intern
Tracy Scott	....	script supervisor: Los Angeles
Joe Sevey	....	location scout
Mike Sikucinski	....	set production assistant
Joia Speciale	....	documentarian
Alison Strother	....	assistant: Mr. Klubeck
Michael Sullivan	....	production assistant: Los Angeles
Michael Taylor	....	script supervisor
Robert Velo	....	assistant: Mr. Shamberg
Jared Weisfelner	....	production assistant: Los Angeles
Aurelia Winborn	....	documentarian (as Auriela Wilborn)
Greg Conroy	....	location scout (uncredited)
Aaron Hurvitz	....	location assistant (uncredited)
Kevin H. Law	....	production coordinator: additional photography (uncredited)
Jonathan Mariande	....	office intern (uncredited)
Catherine Petra Villalobos	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Derek Yip	....	additional post-production accountant (uncredited)

Thanks
Camille Abdy	....	special thanks
George Abdy Sr.	....	special thanks
Jon Bell	....	special thanks (as Jonathon Bell)
Elaine Braff	....	special thanks
Hal Braff	....	special thanks
Anne Brodzinsky	....	special thanks
David Brodzinsky	....	special thanks
Cary Brothers	....	special thanks (as Carey Brothers)
Joseph Carrillo	....	special thanks
David Downs	....	special thanks
Scott Fleischer	....	special thanks
Steve Garfinkel	....	special thanks (as Steve Garfinkle)
Roy Gilbert	....	special thanks
Steven Gorelick	....	special thanks: The New Jersey Film Commission (as Steve Gorelick)
Andrew Graham	....	special thanks: The New Jersey Film Commission
Dave Grove	....	special thanks
Alex Halpern	....	special thanks
Janice Holden	....	special thanks: JFK International Airport
Ann Hubbell	....	special thanks
Greg Jones	....	special thanks
Brad Katz	....	special thanks
Melinda Webber Kerstein	....	special thanks
Martin Korngut	....	special thanks: Palace Hotel
Bill Lawrence	....	special thanks
Doug Mandart	....	special thanks: JFK International Airport
Andrew Marcus	....	special thanks
Barbara Margulis	....	special thanks: JFK International Airport
Tom O'Donnell Jr.	....	special thanks
Jim O'Hagen	....	special thanks
Nick Oliveri	....	special thanks
Joshua Radin	....	special thanks (as Josh Radin)
Phil Radin	....	special thanks
Rachel Robinson	....	special thanks
Martha Savelio	....	special thanks
David W. Schoner Jr.	....	special thanks: The New Jersey Film Commission (as David Schoner)
Bonnie Somerville	....	special thanks
Michael Spiller	....	special thanks
Anthony Trapasso	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Camelot Pictures (presents)
• Jersey Films
• Double Feature Films
• Large's Ark Productions (copyright owners)

Distributors

• Fox Searchlight Pictures (2004) (USA) (all media) (A News Corporation company)
• Miramax Films (2004) (non-USA) (all media)
• Buena Vista International Italia (2005) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2005) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2005) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Television Distribution (200?) (USA) (TV) (as 20th Television)

Special Effects

• Svengali Visual Effects (visual effects)

Other Companies

• Animal Actors of Hollywood  animal trainers (as Animal Actors International)
• Kee Casting  extras casting (as KEE Casting)
• Epstein, Levinsohn, Bodine, Hurwitz & Weinstein  production legal (as Epstein, Levinsohn, Bodine, Hurwitz & Weinstein, LLP)
• Premiere Catering  catering
• Todd-AO Studios  post-production sound provided by
• National Geographic  alligator footage provided by
• News 12  news footage provided by (as News 12 New Jersey)
• Essex Skating Club  skating liaison (as Essex Skating Club of New Jersey)
• K.A.S. Lighting  grip and electric equipment (as K/A/S Lighting)
• Majestic Light  Supertechno crane provided by (as Majestic Light, New York)
• Aero Mock-Ups  airline set (as Aero Mock-Ups)
• Film Finance  completion bond (as Film Finances)
• Albert G. Ruben and Company  insurance broker (as Albert G. Ruben)
• JFA  accounting services provided by
• Runway  Avid provided by
• Entertainment Post  telecine
• Title House Digital  titles and opticals
• DeLuxe Laboratories  color by
• Capitol Records  courtesy of: "Don't Panic"
• Geffen Records  courtesy of: "Fair"
• Island Records  courtesy of: "One Of These Things First"
• Columbia Records  courtesy of: "The Only Living Boy In New York"
• Universal Island Records  courtesy of: "Let Go" (as Universal-Island Records, Ltd.)
• Warner Music International  courtesy of: "In The Waiting Line"
• Creative Artists Agency (CAA)  special thanks
• Industry Entertainment  special thanks
• Yamaha Golf-Car Company  special thanks (as Yamaha U.S.A. Golf Carts)
• Muskin Leisure Products  special thanks
• Hagen... For Pets  special thanks
• Casablanca Fan Company  special thanks
• Robern Corporation  special thanks
• Intex Recreation Products  special thanks
• Sevylor  special thanks
• Dischord Records  special thanks
• Topps U.S.  special thanks
• Epson  special thanks
• Fender Musical Instruments  special thanks (as Fender Guitars)
• Shari Shabab  special thanks
• American Eagle Outfitters  special thanks
• Birkenstock  special thanks
• Brooks Brothers  special thanks
• Dickies  special thanks
• Marithé et François Girbaud  special thanks (as Marithe et Francois Girbaud)
• Nike  special thanks
• Polo Jeans  special thanks
• Pro-Keds  special thanks (as ProKeds)
• Puma  special thanks
• Shanghai Tang  special thanks
• Timberland  special thanks
• Express  special thanks
• New Jersey Film Commission  special thanks (as The New Jersey Film Commission)
• New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theater & Broadcasting, The  special thanks (as New York Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport, NY  special thanks (as JFK International Airport)
• Milburn Medical Center  special thanks
• Morris Plains Minute Men First Aid Squad  special thanks
• Township of South Orange, New Jersey  special thanks
• Township of Livingston, New Jersey  special thanks
• Township of Wallington, New Jersey  special thanks
• Township of Morristown, New Jersey  special thanks
• Township of Cranford, New Jersey  special thanks
• Township of Roseland, New Jersey  special thanks
• North Bergen Palace Hotel  special thanks (as Palace Hotel)
• Panavision  cameras and lenses
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)  animal monitoring (as ASPCA)
• Epic Records  soundtrack (uncredited)
• Jeremy Walker + Associates  publicity (uncredited)
• Sony Music Soundtrax  soundtrack (uncredited)

Also Known As:

Large (USA) (working title)
Large's Ark (USA) (working title)
A régi környék (Hungary) [hu]
Algo en común (Spain) [es]
Garden State (Greece) [el]
Garden State (Norway) [no]
Hora de Voltar (Brazil) [pt]
La mia vita a Garden State (Italy) [it]
Tiempo de volver (Argentina) [es]

MPAA:

Rated R for language, drug use and a scene of sexuality.

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Klingon

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14A | Iceland:12 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | USA:R (certificate #40797) | New Zealand:R16 | Malaysia:U (DVD) | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | South Korea:18 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Brazil:16 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Finland:K-15 | Germany:12 | Ireland:18 | Netherlands:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:M18 | Spain:13 | UK:15 | Norway:15 | Chile:14

Filming Locations:

114 North 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Camelot Pictures

Trivia:

The movie was released on Wednesday, 28 July 2004, to eight theaters: three in Los Angeles, four in New York City, and the Maplewood Theatre in Maplewood, New Jersey. This was the home theater of Zach Braff (who is from the adjacent town of South Orange). He attended the Maplewood premiere, and his father, who still lives in the area, was at the theater for the film's first Friday and Saturday.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the first shot of the phone in Andrew's bedroom, the antennas are down. In the next (wide) shot, the are both up.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Airplane pilot: [voiceover] Los Angeles Tower, this is Transworld 22 Heavy. We are going down! Repeat, engines two and... L.A. Tower, this is... Mayday! Mayday!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Anatomy of a Scene: Garden State" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Caring Is Creepy

A Film that Defines a Generation

Zach Braff's "Garden State" manages to accomplish something that very few films have been able to do throughout the history of cinema. It is a film that speaks to an entire generation. 1947's "The Best Years of Our Lives" spoke to our grandparents. "The Graduate" spoke to our parents. "Fight Club" spoke to our older brothers working dead-end jobs in the 90's. But it is with the arrival of "Garden State" that our generation is spoken to, those of us born in the early-mid 80's who are in our late teens and early twenties trying to make it by in a environment that seems all at once to strange and yet so familiar.

Homecoming is the theme of Garden State. Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff)) has been away from his hometown of New Jersey for the past nine years and returns to attend the funeral for his mother. While having been gone, Andrew has been on lithium and other forms of anti-depressant medication all prescribed to him by his psychiatrist father Gideon (Ian Holm). Upon his homecoming Andrew has decided to take a vacation from his medication and take some time to re-connect with himself. From there the plot grows as he connects with old friends and makes new ones and discovers the joys of life and love mostly thanks to the arrival of free-spirited Sam (Natalie Portman).

Braff has written and directed scenes that qualify to go down in the movie history books along such moments as Pulp Fiction's dance sequence, and The Deer Hunter's Russian roulette scenes. Two of said scenes that come to mind are when Sam takes Andrew up to her room for the first time and does something "totally original that has never been done before in this location and will never be copied again throughout the rest of human existence," in order to ease the pain of an awkward situation. Another scene occurs late in the film when the three principals stand at the edge of a seemingly endless abyss and scream at the tops of their lungs into the gorge. It is this moment that defines, with one pure act, the epitome of what it feels to be in your late teens, early 20's looking out at life. Standing at the edge of life and screaming.

While all the acting is noteworthy, including a hilarious cameo by Method Man (yes, that's right Method Man), it is Natalie Portman who steals the show. Sam is in essence the adult version of her character from Beautiful Girls. She's 26, but an old soul. It his in her that the movie comes out the realm of quirky off-kilter comedy and gains heart, soul, and intimacy all to rare to achieve in films these days. Bravo Ms. Portman. In addition, Peter Sarsgaard is becoming one of my new favorite actors, after having seen him in this film, Shattared Glass, and Boys Don't Cry within a matter of approximately three weeks.

I will go on record an call Garden State a masterpiece. It does exactly what films are supposed to do, take from all areas of art and incorporate them into one. It is a passionate mixture of visual flare, tremendous dialogue, hip music, and heart-warming pathos. I encourage anyone who is young to see this film. See it with the people you care about, this is your film, this is OUR film, and it couldn't be better.