Zach Braff, star of television’s quirky Scrubs, makes his debut as both writer and director of the often endearing and amusing film Garden State. Although the film takes on some heady issues that include an estranged family, a mother’s death, and a decade of prescription drug abuse, it manages not to dwell upon the negative implications and instead offers a hopeful transcendence of said problems. Both Natalie Portman and Zach, who also stars as the film’s protagonist, are likeable characters that help maintain the ultimately lighthearted and redemptive tone of the movie. The DVD also includes 16 deleted scenes, outtakes, a making-of featurette, and several commentaries. [Mathew Brady]
Run Time: 103min
Director: Zach Braff
Starring: Zach Braff,
Natalie Portman
DVD Release: 2004
