No, the title to this review is not some silly pun. I am above that. Well, I'm not, but still, it is not a pun. In fact, it refers to the lead actor in Garden State, Zach Braff, who is of course mostly known for his role as Dr. John 'J.D.' Dorian in the brilliant series 'Scrubs'.
In 'Garden State' however, Braff plays a washed up actor who is being medicated by his psychiatrist father. Hence the 'Doctor becomes patient'. You see, it wasn't a pun after all!
'Garden State' tells the tale of Andrew 'Large' Largeman (Braff), a young actor from New Jersey who left his home town several years prior to the events in the film, to try and make his fortune in Hollywood. However, after playing one part as a retarded quarterback, Large finds himself busting tables to earn a living. Eventually, he receives a phonecall from his father telling him his mother has died.
When Large returns home after nine years to attend the funeral, he finds that his father Gideon (Ian Holm, The Lord of the Rings) is still the same old shut-in psychiatrist he has always been, and who is also the main reason for Large's ennui, because his father has been feeding him prescription pills ever since he was a young boy.
After meeting up with several of his old, and somewhat odd friends, Large makes the decision to get a second opinion from another psychiatrist, because he has noticed that not taking his medication actually makes him feels better. Whilst waiting for his appointment with said psychiatrist, Large meets Sam (Natalie Portman, Star Wars), a girl about his age, who seems to have an extremely positive outlook on the world. He offers her a ride home and finds out that she's in fact a chronic liar, but luckily this doesn't change anything about anything and they continue to meet up pretty much all the time.
I can honestly say that Garden State is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Braff, who also happens to be the writer and director, plays his part with a subtlety that is incredible. His transformation from the numbed down actor to the average-guy-living-his-life-the-way-he-wants-to he eventually becomes after he lays off the medication, and after he meets Sam, is played out brilliantly and comes off as realistic as it gets.
The same goes for Portman's role as Sam, a part that stands in perfect contrast with the introvert Largeman. Her efforts to actually make something work between the two characters by trying not to lie as much is incredibly touching, to say the least.
I also feel that a special mention should be made of Large's friend Mark (Peter Sarsgaard, Jarhead), who plays a classic stoner part. Mark leads Large and Sam on a seemingly useless treasure-hunt throughout the film, which eventually ends in one of the most touching moments the movie has to offer.
Another honourable notation goes to the soundtrack, which was hand-picked by Braff himself. The music suits the script perfectly, with artists such as The Shins, Coldplay, Iron & Wine and Simon & Garfunkel. The scene in which Sam hands Large her headphones and plays him The Shins's 'New Slang' is one I will never forget, and that song has since made it's way into my personal top ten of all times. (If you were wondering, 'Fairytale Of New York' by the Pogues is the number one in that list.)
Even though 'Garden State' was an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival, and won Best First Feature at the Independent Spirit Awards, it never enjoyed the publicity that major blockbusters get. Instead, it mostly relied on Braff's personal weblog and the enthusiasm of the dedicated fan-base. A fan-base that was willing to drive hours and miles to see the film on the silver screen.
Even if you choose to ignore the aforementioned dedication, nomination and awardation (Yeah, I just made that word up), the film is an incredibly well-written story about people like you and me, and even though it starts out fairly depressing, it is one of the best feel good films I ever had the pleasure of seeing. 'Garden State' is one of the few films I have actually forced upon my friends because I felt they had to see it.
Not a single one of those friends disagreed with me.
