A Garden State Of Mind
Last updated: 16/10/2006 - 11:36
A charming personal picture featuring a cast containing some of the hottest young talent in the U.S.
Garden State
Television actor Zach Braff – who is, of course, one of the young cast involved in hit US medical sit-com Scrubs - and now film director Zach Braff – stars in the semi-autobiographical picture alongside Natalie Portman (Leon, V For Vendetta, Star Wars: Attack of The Clones, Revenge of The Sith and The Phantom Menace), Method Man, Peter Sarsgaard, Ian Holm (Alien, The Fifth Element, The Lord of The Rings) and Jean Smart.
Andrew Largeman (Braff) shuffled through life in a lithium-induced coma until his mother's death inspired a vacation from the pills to see what might happen. A moderately successful TV actor living in Los Angeles, ‘Large’ hasn't been back home to the ‘Garden State’ in nine years. But even with 3000 miles between them, he's been unable to escape his domineering father Gideon – played by no less than Bilbo Baggins himself: Sir. Ian Holm - and the silencing effect he's had on his son from afar.
Stunned to find himself in his hometown after such a long absence, Large finds his old acquaintances around every corner living quite unique lives as gravediggers (Peter Sarsgaard), fast food knights and the panderers of the pyramid schemes. Meanwhile, at home, he does his best to avoid a long-simmering but inevitable confrontation with his father.
By a twist of fate, Large meets Sam – played by Natalie Portman - a girl who is everything he isn't. A blast of colour, hope and quirks Sam quickly becomes a sidekick – but one who refuses to ride his sidecar. Her warmth and fearlessness give Large the courage to open his heart to the joy and pain of the infinite abyss that is life.
DVD special features for Garden State look like this:
Garden State is out now on DVD.
More information available in DVD / Home Video, Humour