Zach Braff clearly has real talent, though his writing lags behind his direction. Garden State is an entertaining film, to be sure, but it hardly has a plot, its characters seem terribly contrived, and the last 15 minutes or so are silly and manipulative. We should add: unsuccessfully manipulative - since the final scenes failed to generate even a hint of interest or sympathy in yours truly, Gentle Readers.
Braff will make better movies someday, perhaps, but he needs a collaborator who can take his talent for capturing mood and couple it to a plot that's actually, um, a plot.
One thing, though: extraordinary use of pop songs. And another: there are a couple of camera moves at which you might be moved to say: 'God, why hasn't anyone else shot this like that?'
Update: OK more thoughts below the spoiler-shield, kidz.
The more I think about Garden State, the less it matters to me. Unlike, for instance, Manhattan or Fight Club or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or even Kill Bill (or for that matter The Breakfast Club!). I find I can't remember a single thing about it except the hackneyed bits - maybe because they were so awkward that they overpower my memory of the rest of the film.
Bischoff, if it makes you feel any better, I saw Hellboy this week, and it was not as good as Garden State. The movies are uncannily similar - big red hellspawn protagonist, set in New Jersey - but I think GS gets the nod in this Battle Royal.
I think that if Largeman had just left on the plane - if the last shot had been of Sam (is every waif/eccentric/tomboy/hipster girl in 21st century 20-something film going to have a goddamn androgyne's name?) sitting between the two escalators - I'd have been happy. That was the big sellout. Give me Swingers anyday - now there is a movie about angst and the lightness of being that's funny, moving, funky, with great music and memorable characters (not ciphers). Diggity daaaaaamn!
Who needs a plot?
Plots are over-rated.
Just like large, outdoor music festivals.
Posted by: Big Pun Tark | 18 August 2004 at 06:31 PM
garden state was good, you boob. why must you always be so critical?
Posted by: Adrian | 19 August 2004 at 01:16 PM
Tickle me, Elmo/Bischoff.
Love me tender, love me true. Darling I love you.
Also:
SUCKA~!!!!!
Posted by: Wax | 19 August 2004 at 02:03 PM
"Just like large, outdoor music festivals." Heh. At least the man has kept his sense of humor!
Nothing wrong with being critical, I hope. I thought it was good, but I have my criticisms too. Did anyone say he didn't like it?
Posted by: shazam | 19 August 2004 at 04:56 PM
claritin claritin
Posted by: claritin | 21 March 2005 at 10:26 PM