Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Smart, stylish comedy has mature themes, language, drugs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Garden State
What's the Story?
In GARDEN STATE, Andrew (Zach Braff) returns home to New Jersey for his mother's funeral after being estranged from his family for almost a decade. There, he struggles to communicate with his father (Ian Holm), reconnects with a childhood friend (Peter Sarsgaard), and meets an intriguing young woman named Sam (Natalie Portman), who helps him face his demons and start fully living his life.
Is It Any Good?
Braff's directorial debut is a warm, charming comedy that could easily be dismissed with terms like "quirky" and "idiosyncratic" but runs deeper than the initial navel-gazing. As the writer, director, and star of Garden State, Braff has created something very much his own, which explores difficult subjects with nuance, even as it skirts around stereotypes. Portman in particular offers a very watchable performance, a character who's playful and so desperate to be unique, she becomes almost the defining example of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl cliché. It doesn't distract from the movie's distinctive voice, though. And while the comedy may not always be laugh-out-loud, it's smart and well-observed. The soundtrack also deserves a mention: Fans of indie pop and folk music will likely enjoy the award-winning, platinum-selling compilation, which was also put together by Braff. His fans will struggle not to enjoy this, but those a little less enamored by him and his melancholic humor may find this story of trauma a little too whimsical.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Garden State portrays trauma. What traumas have made a mark on Andrew's life? What about Sam's? How do they both work through them in the movie?
Zach Braff wrote, directed, and starred in Garden State. What are the benefits and challenges of taking on all three roles? Do you know of any other films where a writer-director also stars? How does Garden State compare?
How do the characters show empathy and curiosity? How do these character strengths help them to move forward with their lives?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 30, 2004
- On DVD or streaming : December 28, 2004
- Cast : Natalie Portman , Peter Sarsgaard , Zach Braff
- Director : Zach Braff
- Studio : Fox Searchlight
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Empathy
- Run time : 109 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, drug use and a scene of sexuality
- Last updated : September 29, 2026
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