Garden State 2004

Struggling actor Andrew Largeman (played by Zach Braff) grapples with the weight of his past as he navigates life while heavily reliant on medication. He has become emotionally numb, stemming from a traumatic childhood incident where he inadvertently caused his mother’s paralysis at the tender age of nine. Waking from a haunting dream of a crashing plane, Andrew receives a voicemail from his estranged father, Ian Holm (a professional psychiatrist), urging him to return home due to his mother’s passing.

Reluctantly, Andrew leaves behind his life in Los Angeles and heads back to New Jersey for the funeral. Reuniting with old friends, including Mark (played by Peter Sarsgaard), who still lives with his mother and engages in reckless parties, deep-seated feelings of nostalgia and remorse surface. At the funeral, he encounters a laid-back atmosphere that contrasts sharply with his own turmoil.

Later that night, Andrew attends a party with Mark and their old friend Dave (Alex Burns). Despite the stash of marijuana and ecstasy floating around the gathering, Andrew remains detached and emotionally sidelined. Following a night of indulgence, he visits his doctor, only to be informed that he has spent a lifetime on lithium and a mix of antidepressants, prescribed by his father, who has his own unresolved grief.

In the waiting room, he crosses paths with Sam (portrayed by Natalie Portman), an intriguing young woman with a penchant for lying. Surprisingly, she bonds with Andrew over their respective family dramas, where she shares her own quirky truths and a heartfelt story about eulogizing her hamster. After realizing that Sam suffers from epilepsy, Andrew’s protective instincts begin to stir.

As the story unfolds, Andrew admits his long-buried guilt regarding his mother’s accident to Sam, who responds with understanding and care. The two share intimate moments, engaging in deep conversations that lead Andrew to confront the emotional barriers that his father and medications have built around him. With Mark by their side, they venture into a quarry, where an enlightening exchange with a resident named Albert (Denis O’Hare) inspires Andrew. Albert’s words resonate with Andrew, as he reflects on what truly matters—connection and family.

After a series of ups and downs, including a stolen pendant from Andrew’s mother’s grave, Andrew finds the courage to stand up to his father, asserting that he isn’t to blame for the past and expressing his desire to mend their fractured relationship.

In a bittersweet farewell at the airport, Sam implores Andrew to stay, but he knows he must first tackle his myriad of personal challenges. However, in a moment of clarity, he turns back, determined not to squander any more time without Sam, leading to a passionate reunion as they embrace the uncertain future together.