The Shins: The Movie

After nine years in doused in lithium in a “controlled environment,” Andrew Largeman is coming home. This after a cryptic telephone message informs him of his mother’s passing. At his father’s call, he returns home. Against his father’s will, he leaves the meds behind.

Garden State is a highly personal telling of a somewhat non-traditional coming-of-age story. Dripping with absurdist imagery and surreal situations, Garden State can occasionally err on the self-conscious side. That being said, maybe more American films should be so conscious of what they are doing. Many of those absurd concepts are very effective in setting the scene for what is meant to be a truly unusual period in the protagonist’s life.

The film finds it’s feet when the character’s are the focus. Zach Braff, Peter Sargaard and even Natalie Portman are all excellent in their quirky roles. Zach Braff’s familiar befuddled expression is even more at home here than on Scrubs. He’s immediately endearing.

The sound track plays an important role in the film. The Shins make several appearances and even becoming a topic of conversation between characters. There is an obvious effort to connect with an audience “in the know.” There is also Simon and Garfunkel track, as if to dare reviewers already foaming at the mouth to make obvious comparisons to The Graduate. Hipster/folky acts including Iron and Wine, Coli Hay and Nick Drake also grace the audio channel. The playlist reads like a mix tape I might have received on tour in 2001.

So… I loved Garden State. I loved Zach Braff. I loved the story. I loved the scene in the pool. Some will say this is the obvious, if charming work of a first time director. I thought it’s naivete was not only very deliberate, but it’s greatest strength. Don’t miss this one.