american_exile

So, because nobody asked for it, And I really enjoyed the movie, I thought I would post a review I wrote for Garden State. I'd like to combine my love for movies with a job in the journalsim industry.
Garden State
Directed by: Zach Braff
Starring: Zach Braff, Natalie Portman
Rated R: for Language, Drug use, and a scene of sexuality

Garden State is a film about a detached young man, Andrew Largeman, who, after moving away from home to be an actor, returns nine years later for the funeral of his mother, While there he attempts to reconnect with the past and come to grips with it in an attempt to move on with his life. While there he encounters a carefree woman named Sam,(Natalie Portman) during an embarrassing moment with mans best friend, and they quickly become friends. Sam causes Andrew to realize that life is worth living and the future may hold something of interest to him.

Now, Im not going to lie to you, I watched this movie for two reasons only, the first being because its directed by that guy from scrubs, one of my favorite shows currently on TV and, because It had Natalie Portman in it. The beginning of the film had me worried about whether the movie was going to be any good at all. The editing makes you believe youre about to set down and watch a trip of movie. Fortunately, thinking back on this after watching the movie the first fifteen minutes or so of the movie really makes since because it aids in your understanding of where Andrew is at in his head at this time of his life. The movie shortly finds its stride though and the themes have stuck in my head for two days now. To me thats the sign of a good film.

Now actually choosing to review a film is a difficult choice for me because, as any of my friends would tell you, I hate to actually get into the details of a movie because then Ive ruined the movie for you. So Im going to attempt to be as vague as possible plot-wise while getting into the encounters that Andrew has. He has a very strained relationship with his father due to events of the past and spends the better portion of the film avoiding him because of that. Really he cant seem to connect with any of his family, and this, along with his inability to reconnect with his old friends in the beginning, still not ready to accept life as adults, makes for the most uncomfortable part of the movie.

From the moment Andrew meets Sam though the movie hits its stride. The friendship they develop seems to me to be rare in adults, even if it has similarities to some in my life. This movie is not a romantic comedy, it isnt love at first sight. To me their relationship develops naturally. Both have quirky families, with Sams probably being the better fleshed out of the two. During the time that Andrew is home he really does change and its Sam who is to thanks for this. He reconnects successfully with his friends and family and is ready to return to L.A. a better person, except hes fallen in love.

And thats all Im going to delve into involving the plot because Im verging on giving away the movie. All the main roles in this movie are given life by the actors who portray them. Not a single role felt hollow to me. The soundtrack also scores points for being so perfectly placed in the movie, the highlight being an acoustic cover of The Postal Services Such great Heights by Iron and Wine. Overall, I really liked this movie and its subtle story. Its available on DVD now.

So what do you think of my style?