MartinScorsese t1_j6i0dft wrote on January 30, 2023 at 1:58 PM

I think Garden State has some strong images, but it has not aged well. Once you realize that Natalie Portman's character is a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, the whole thing kind of falls apart.

EDIT: I should also add that Portman fulfills a similar role in Beautiful Girls, which I think is a better movie.

rxneutrino t1_j6i30cx wrote on January 30, 2023 at 2:19 PM

I do see this perspective, but I have a different take on it. Just because you can give a name to a character trope doesn't mean the whole surrounding film is bad as a result. Garden State cleverly depicts the transition into adulthood using subtleties and symbolism, even if some of the characters are cartoonish and unrealistic. This doesn't just apply to Portman's character. The overall result is still a good film that can elicit emotion.

MartinScorsese t1_j6i3qv0 wrote on January 30, 2023 at 2:24 PM

> Just because you can give a name to a character trope doesn't mean the whole surrounding film is bad as a result.

Well, yes, except this film is entirely about one man's growth - with a young woman as the primary catalyst for it - and when said catalyst is unrealistic, then the whole endeavor rings false.

> using subtleties and symbolism

There's nothing subtle in Garden State.

> The overall result is still a good film that can elicit emotion.

Bad movies can still be manipulative.