Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Garden State
2004
**½
Director: Zach Braff
Cast: Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Ian Holm, Jean Smart

A likeable but poorly scripted comedy about a troubled young man who returns to his hometown in Jersey for his mother's funeral. He's been drugged for the best part of his life, but four days with a cute and kooky girl makes all the difference. Zach Braff's writing and directing debut offers some funny and heartfelt moments, but the script is cluttered with too many (quirky but) irrelevant supporting characters, and the whole thing is wrapped up much too neatly.