The summer of 2004, like most before it, was dominated by over-stylized Hollywood hijinks and elaborate special effects. But somewhere in amidst these movies came "Garden State," a subtle yet smart romantic comedy that provided ample refuge for moviegoers tired of the annual big-budget, blockbuster brouhaha.

Zach Braff plays Andrew "Large" Largeman, a quasi-successful actor fighting to keep his head above water amidst his cutthroat "Hollyweird" surroundings.

Balancing his time between auditions and waiting tables, Large walks through life with a sort of stupefied, dead-to-the-world aura about him, spurred by an unbridled flair for mood stabilizers. On the surface he looks like your average 20-something kid, but inside he's on lockdown. Something about him suggests that there's an emotional pit in his stomach that's been suppressed for far too long.

After learning that his mother passed away, Large makes a long overdue visit back home to New Jersey for the funeral. There he attempts to find common ground with his estranged father, rekindles lost relationships with some old friends and quickly falls for Sam (Natalie Portman), an eccentric girl-next-door type who's also a pathological liar. The majority of the film follows Braff on a trip toward self-discovery as he comes to terms with the fractured lifestyle he left behind years before.

What's interesting about Garden State is that it functions in large part as a one-man operation, with Braff seizing control of writing, directing and lead acting duties. He has always proven to be a captivating screen presence, but no one could have predicted such versatility from the budding "Scrubs" star.

"Garden State" is a movie that moves along with a leisurely fluid and mellow style that mimics Braff's sedated nature in the film. There are no real peaks and valleys, no climax or falling action to speak of. Instead, the film functions almost like a cinematic lazy river ride, one that aside from the occasional bump or dip moves along calmly and with assurance.

You might think that a film with such a low center of gravity might suffer from a lack of momentum. Fortunately, "Garden State" works well enough on all cylinders to keep it from submerging beneath its deadpan tendencies. Braff is perfectly likeable as Large, while Portman further expands upon her reputation as one of Hollywood's most versatile and gifted young actresses.

Braff also demonstrates a skilled hand behind the camera, offsetting the film's overall conservative directorial style with interesting use of occasional fast-forward and slow-motion shots. Braff carries a strong workload here, especially for his first stab as a filmmaker. What's more is that he made it work so efficiently, and maybe that's why "Garden State" is so easy to take in and enjoy.

Fans yearning for more after the film will likely find something to enjoy amidst the extras enclosed on the DVD. Cast commentaries and a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the film provide a deeper look into the cast's collective mind, while the outtakes and deleted scenes allow for more laugh-out-loud moments.

"Garden State" isn't an exceptional film, but it's original, and in a time where modern romantic comedies are at a creative standstill, maybe that's all we can really ask for.

Grade: AB

Extras: B

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Jan. 20 2005.