It was a very depressing movie. I enjoyed it a lot, and thought that Braff and Barrett were great. I also didn't really buy Bilson and instead of charming, I just found her annoying (she definitely has a very limited range IMO). I found the parents subplot to be a little unneccessary and didn't add much to the film.

Overall, it wasn't nearly as fun or interesting as Garden State and the messages it conveyed were a little less easy to relate to. I did like the ending and how everything wasn't tied in a neat little bow, but it's certainly not a "feel good" movie and if people see this as a date movie, it might backfire and have the other person end up dumping their ass.

MATT

Saw this at an advanced screening. I liked Zach Braff's performance, but a kind of by the numbers type of movie. Didn't buy the Rachel Billson relationship, seemed kind of forced and there for the purposes of the plot. Found the Blythe Danner/Tom Wilkinson relationship more interesting out of all the stories in the movie. The ending got some groans from the audience I saw it with, but I was indifferent to it. Mild thumbs down.

I didn't much like this film, mainly because some of the situations seem too contrived, too forced (mainly the Rachel Bilson character's, Kim's, forwardness at the exact moment of crisis for Zach Braff's character Michael). And then shoehorning Jacinda Barrett's character Jenna's parents' after-midlife crisis as a parallel to Michael and Jenna's situation just never gelled for me. The other subplots (of their friends) aren't too interesting either. A miss for Paul Haggis's script, and Tony Goldwyn's direction called for odd camera angles that just didn't work for me.

I give it 2 stars, or a grade of C.

I really liked this movie! I enjoyed the script and the use of handheld cinematography. It felt like you were Michael and you can't do anything to stop this trainwreck unfolding in front of you. It was tragic and well acted, although the woman playing Kim was kind of annoying, but sexy! It didn't seem like she would have anything to do with him other than to forward the plot. But I guess she played her character well, a college kid who thinks they found someone special but in the end it's just a silly crush. I'm sure within a week or two.

Michael's friends situations particularly were hearthwrenching as well. Who knew Casey Afleck could act?! I never saw him going anywhere, but then again I've only seen him in that Chasing Amy cameo. I see good things for him!

CKMorpheus: You might want to include some spoiler tags in your post. You gave away a lot of the movie.

Some woman on a local radio station this morning was complaining about the nudity in this film.

Anyone care to explain?

There was like one scene where two characters are sprawled out naked, but you can only see bare breasts (and almost a dude's balls) but it certainly wasn't anything extreme or shocking, especially since this is a drama for ADULTS.

MATT

Don't forget the nekkid dancers in a hammock at the bachelor party!

Saw it opening night and really liked it. Tough situations but I reallly liked all the performances. more nudity than i expected though, lol

I personally hated the original Italian version and this version as well...

accept for Blythe Danner I thought the acting was really annoying and cloy.

I really liked this movie, Zach Braff and Jacinda Barrett were fantastic in it. Very good movie.

not knowing what to fully expect, i really enjoyed this movie. i bought it thinking i would like it, but not this much. i think i'll watch just about anything Zach Braff does dramatically (i love "Scrubs" , but his new one, "Fast Track" just doesn't do it for me).

i felt tense and uncomfortable throughout most of the movie and it was great. i think that is exactly what the performances were going for.

i agree with Bilson's performance and thought she was the weakest link. but everyone else...Casey Affleck to Michael Weston (who i liked in the one episode of "Six Feet Under") were really good.

my only objection, though i usually go for it was the ending.

anyway, along with "Garden State"i really think Braff is going to have a career in this business.

I love movies about struggling with life and where you are, because, hell, we have all been there but I watched this last night and it was almost painful to get through. All they did was whine for almost 2 hours. I didn't really care for the characters or what happened to them.

Netflixed this and watched it last night.

I really liked it, as it was a very realistic portrayal of how difficult relationships are, how scary settling down can be etc.

Bilson's character was a bit annoying, but I didn't find the relationship or her forwardness forced or unrealistic as others did.

At least in my experience it seems like when I've had doubts in a relationship someone else seemed to pop up and add temptation at just the wrong time and that's pretty much what happened here.

We NetFlixed it last week and thought it was dreadful.

I will sum up the movie this way.

Catchy tune from Grey's Anatomy (with voice-over) followed by overacted drama scene, followed by catchy tune from Grey's Anatomy followed by overacted drama scene, repeat.

There's even a set of gay neighbors that exist for no apparent reason, but to distribute water to both garden plants and Zach Braff. Also, if you look closely, you see the exact same extras walking back and forth in the background of every scene!



I liked Garden State, but thought that this movie was pretentious crap.