“Good luck exploring the infinite abyss.”

Simply put, this is one of my favorite movies of all time.  This is one of those films that really make you feel like the 2 hours you just spent in front of a screen actually changed you or at least tugged at the heart strings a little bit.  From the very first scene of the film, you can tell that you are in for a very unique and thought-provoking story.

Garden State was written AND directed by Zach Braff (Scrubs) and was his feature film debut as a director.  And, if that wasn’t enough, he plays the lead role of Andrew Largeman, a quiet, troubled 26-year-old actor returning to his hometown in New Jersey after he finds out that his mother has died.

Upon returning, Largeman (“Large” to his friends) begins to realize what parts of his life have changed since departure 9 years prior.  His friends are still working dead-end jobs but his now widowed father lives alone in a large and quiet house. Suffering from migraine headaches, Largeman finds himself in a neurologist’s waiting room, where he gets sexually “harassed” by a seeing-eye dog to the amusement of Sam, played by Natalie Portman. Andrew doesn’t realize it at this point, but when Sam shares her headphones and states, “You gotta hear this one song…it’ll change your life, I swear,” she’s right.

From parties with his friend Mark (Peter Sarsgaard), to awkward conversations with his father (Sir Ian Holm), Braff takes us through a complicated and sad story of confusion, depression and seclusion.  We learn more about Andrew’s life and experience emotions that only a select few films can really draw out of an audience.

My favorite scene in this movie is when we finally see Largeman “getting it.”  Throughout the film, he’s constantly examining his life and his experiences to determine “what went wrong?” to make his life the way it is.  Finally, at this point in the movie, he just decides to let loose – he climbs on top of a piece of abandoned construction equipment and screams.  That point in the movie always makes me feel the same way: that this is a turning point and that everything is going to be different from here on forward.

This movie is an adventure.  It’s a tale of life and learning about who we really are.  I think it’s a brilliant story and don’t want to give anything else away but I encourage you to go out right now, if you haven’t seen it, and watch it as soon as you can.  You will not be disappointed.  If you have seen it – watch it again!  It’s that good.  This is a movie that you can watch with a group or with your significant other.  And take it from me ladies, I think guys would really enjoy this movie too.

I give this movie 5 stars and it’s one of the only movies that I will give that rating to.  I know it’s an older film (2004) but if you enjoyed the movie like I did, it will probably become a permanent fixture in your collection.

Interesting side note: As if acting, directing and starring in this amazing movie wasn’t enough for Braff, he put together one of the best soundtracks that I have ever heard.  Each song fits each scene perfectly and upon hearing them, I am instantly reminded of the film.  Braff won a Grammy for Garden State’s soundtrack in 2004.