Gardening Time

Indie film Garden State has gotten good reviews for good reason. But that reason is really just to put us on notice to watch first-time director Zach Braff's next movie, hopefully better than this.

Braff certainly has a ear for dialog, characters, and the ability to let both have room to breathe. As the film charts the return to New Jersey of an erstwhile west coast actor, the fumblings, estrangements, and reconcilliations are neatly plotted with a fine post-modern touch -- as in, no simple answers, no big revelations, etc, etc. And therefore, no big payoff for the audience. It's all played a bit to simple.

Biggest problem is the central relationship between Braff's actor-loser character, over-prescribd by an evil father (Ian Holm, with not much to work wit) and his home-grown girl-friend (Natalie Portman). Supposedly quirky and off-center, the relationship is the least developed plot-point in the film, which sort of limits the impact their romance is supposed to have on saving Braff from his previously self-isolated world.

Compared to real tinsel-town losers, this film is a gem and is certainly worth a look.  Looking forward, it could be the start of something big. On its own, well, its just ok.