2004, USA
Comedy, Drama, Romance
For some, the numbness of life lays over them like a blanket, protecting them from the pain and stress of surviving it all. But with that lack of feeling comes a lack of true cognition -- sleepwalking through the years and gaining nothing. When returning to his Jersey home to bury his mother and confront his father, Andrew Largeman chooses to emerge from this cocoon. He welcomes the obstacles that present themselves through old acquaintances and a new love, in order to deny any more salve to his old scars.
Zach Braff (of the underappreciated TV comedy gem "Scrubs") performs an impressive triple threat as writer, director and leading role as Largeman in this beautiful and imaginative film. Far from his television persona, Braff is quietly understated as his character evolves from his drug-induced emotional coma. The world around him spins chaotically, despite each person's static lifestyle. Somehow the tide flows out even though the undercurrent pulls them back and keeps them at a standstill. In returning home Largeman discovers that though everyone has some small story to tell they have simply moved next door to their former selves, and have not embraced any great change.
Largeman's well-intentioned but emotionally smothering father is played with a quiet rumble by Ian Holm, who fills his small role with an intense fog of family history. Even his pauses demand respect as so much is conveyed every time his character looks at his son and considers his next words to the offspring he has not seen in ten years. The beautifully gruff Peter Sarsgaard (Boys Don't Cry, Kinsey) portrays Largeman's old school buddy, currently living the high life sharing house and bong with his mother (played by Jean Smart). Though his character is the least accomplished, Sarsgaard provides him with a wise understanding of the world and an ability to read into Largeman's needs. He shares Holm's ability to express so much in a single stare. Largeman's character foil is seen in Sam, a girl who wears her heart on her sleeve and then attempts to conceal it with hefty lies. Natalie Portman portrays this character with a heart-breaking quirkiness and spark.
Braff has accomplished much in this film, and his love and respect for the art form is visible in each carefully crafted scene, down to the beautiful soundtrack. It is evident that all of his training and ideas up to this young point in his life have gone into his movie, and audiences can only hope to see him pursue this much creativity in future films.
DVD extras further identify him as someone who has put everything into this endeavor. Deleted scenes are provided with commentary, often expressing the frustration of having to cut scenes by hardworking actors. Also included are bloopers, a soundtrack promo (a worthy investment), and an interesting making-of documentary. Braff includes himself enthusiastically on not one but two commentary tracks, one with Portman and the other with the cinematographer, editor and production designer.