Garden State is an excellent film. I read a review about it where the reviewer said he liked it better when it was called “Beautiful Girls,” implying that BG had told the same story only better. I have to disagree. While I really liked BG, Garden State is a much deeper and more interesting film.

Zach Braff and Natalie Portman were completely believable and entirely interesting. Braff needs to take a bow for writing and directing this film. And whoever decided to cast Natalie Portman as his wonky love-interest needs a raise. She shows in this role that she is much more than just a stunningly pretty face… this girl can flat out act.

Had I seen this one in ’04, it would have been one of the top films of the year… as it stands – it is probably the best film I have seen in ’05.

RATING 9 out of 10