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Garden State
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Metascore
67 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 173 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Peter Sarsgaard, Zach Braff
  • Summary: 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. When he travels from L.A. back to his hometown, he meets Sam (Portman), a girl who is everything he isn't. Her warmth and fearlessness give him the courage to open his heart to the joy and pain of the infinite abyss that is life. (Fox Searchlight Pictures)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Premiere
    Reviewed by: Peter Debruge
    100
    Garden State gets it. Not since "The Graduate" has a movie nailed the beautiful terror of standing on the brink of adulthood with such satisfying precision.
  2. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    89
    There's even a Simon and Garfunkel tune on the soundtrack, which makes Braff's character seem like the only living boy in New Jersey, which, of course, he may well be. L'chaim!
  3. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    60
    Although Zach Braff's promising writing-directing debut is a bit affected, few actors with behind-the-camera aspirations succeed as well as the Scrubs star does with this melancholy romantic comedy.

See all 37 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 83 out of 102
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 102
  3. Negative: 16 out of 102
  1. LeoTs3181983
    10
    Garden State is a great movie. Natalie Portman rocks! This movie is perfect for the sociology student. Don't miss it. It's one of Natalie Portman's best movies.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. timR.
    10
    Deep and moving.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. RaviU
    3
    I dont know what it is about this movie, but the slow pacing and Braff's acting just seem to drag the movie down. Now, don't get me wrong...I enjoy independent films as much as the next guy, but this film just felt so tedious to get through. I honestly love Braff and Portman in their other projects (Scrubs and Star Wars, respectively) but I felt like there was just some chemistry missing here. I'm sad to say that I can't recommend this movie.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 102 User Reviews

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