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By
DEBORAH NICOL
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. Such is the life of Andrew
Largeman, returning to his Jersey home to bury his
mother and confront his father. Largeman 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 lie. 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 this film, and audiences
can only hope to see him pursue this much
creativity in future films. The DVD extras
included 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 that other
actors worked on very hard. 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. |
