---
title: "Garden State: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/garden-state/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/garden-state"
critics_score: 66
critics_reviews: 13
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Garden State (2004): what the critics said

Critics' score 66 from 13 reviews: 9 positive, 3 mixed, 1 negative.

Most critics like Garden State, and the reviews lean clearly positive. The praise gathers around Zach Braff’s debut as writer and director, which several find more thoughtful and assured than a first film has any right to be, and around the cast. Natalie Portman is named again and again as the reason the film works, with Peter Sarsgaard close behind. More than one critic reads it as a warm reply to The Graduate: a numbed young man comes home to New Jersey and finds something worth staying for.

The reservations are about the ending and the indulgence. The third act is where the film falters for many, its epiphany judged too neat and too loud; others find the whole thing episodic and sentimental. The spread is wide, running from warm admiration to open irritation. The Guardian calls the anticipated father-son confrontation a damp squib, and Time Out goes furthest, treating the film as quirky cuteness and mush and a sign that American indie cinema has gone soft.

## Los Angeles Times — Kevin Thomas

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 28 July 2004. 

The critic calls the film a deceptively quirky homecoming comedy that deepens into a note of redemption with unexpected depth and grace in Braff's writing and directing debut. He singles out the original offbeat climactic epiphany and the sterling ensemble cast, particularly Peter Sarsgaard and Natalie Portman.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jul-28-et-gardenstate30-story.html)

## Radio Times — Dave Aldridge

Rating 4/5. 

Braff's thoughtful script and assured direction as writer-director impress in this familiar story of self-examination, with uniformly excellent performances especially from Portman and Sarsgaard. It falters near the end but remains a fine debut.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-aroiaq/garden-state/)

## Empire — Olly Richards

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2011. 

Braff's directorial debut is a sophisticated take on familiar themes of hometown dislocation and middle-youth angst, refreshed with humour and visual invention. Natalie Portman is singled out as the film's magic ingredient, delivering an entrancing performance as the free-spirited Sam.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/garden-state-review/)

## Evening Standard — Nina Caplan

Rating ******. 10 April 2012. 

The critic finds Garden State slight but absolutely charming, praising its heart and fun despite being sentimental with a predictable plot arc. Natalie Portman stands out as an adorable pathological liar whose performance gives the film its appeal.

[Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/adorable-pathological-liar-7384624.html)

## IndieWire — Jonny Leahan

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 27 July 2004. 

The critic praises Braff for deftly delivering a dark comedy of real substance and heart in his debut as writer-director-star. The film follows a struggling actor returning home for his mother's funeral, reconnecting with friends and beginning a romance that helps him embrace life's complexities.

[Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/zach-braff-visits-lifes-infinite-abyss-in-garden-state-78764/)

## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 August 2004. 

The film follows a young man awakening from emotional numbness after returning home for his mother's funeral and meeting an appealing woman. It draws comparisons to The Graduate while noting its meandering but smart and unconventional style with sharp details.

[Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/garden-state-2004)

## Slant Magazine

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 7 December 2004. 

The review calls Garden State a flawed but funny and heartfelt film that suggests maybe you can go home again. It notes Braff's quirky diversions and visual style but highlights strong performances from Sarsgaard and Portman in a quiet, small debut that should not be ignored.

[Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/garden-state-dvd/)

## The New York Times — Stephen Holden

Rating Critic's Pick. 28 July 2004. 

The critic finds the film a smart, off-kilter comedy that affectionately subverts The Graduate while charting an emotionally numbed young man's awakening in suburban New Jersey. He singles out the contemporary pop soundtrack and the way it allows the protagonist to discover spiritual value in the landscape he dreaded returning to.

[Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/28/movies/film-review-first-go-cold-turkey-then-go-to-cold-jersey.html)

## The Times — Wendy Ide

Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 11 December 2004. 

Braff's archetypal American indie is episodic and a little patchy without a conventional three-act structure. It is engaging overall, with much of its charm coming from Portman's vital performance as the free-spirited love interest.

[Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/garden-state-15-cqcf7lw0vwv)

## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw

Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 10 December 2004. 

Braff's directorial debut is a gently self-indulgent autobiographical indie tale of offbeat vulnerabilities and genial humour. It has some smiles and laughs but the anticipated father-son confrontation is a damp squib and the film abandons irony for therapeutic self-forgiveness.

[Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/arts/fridayreview/story/0,,1370064,00.html)

## Screen Daily

Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 19 January 2004. Festival review. 

Braff's promising debut as director-writer-actor shows a fresh voice and distinct vision but over-indulges in self-indulgence and packs in too much. The third act's unsubtle epiphany and weak dialogue disappoint after a strong setup, though the journey to acceptance has merit.

[Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/garden-state/4016914.article)

## Time Out — Geoff Andrew

Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 

The critic finds the film an innocuous mix of quirky cuteness and mush that shows American indie cinema has lost its edge. Portman's energetic performance is singled out as enlivening the contrived elements, but the contrived wackiness and unsubtle soundtrack are criticised.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/garden-state)

## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 10 December 2004. 

The critic describes the film as a beautifully constructed, autobiographical-feeling story of a medicated young man returning home for his mother's funeral and finding unexpected connection amid modern dysfunction and emotional numbness. They single out Natalie Portman's performance as Sam for capturing a rare, tear-prickling vulnerability and transparent honesty.

[Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/garden-state-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/garden-state.md