Garden State, pt 1

Basically a good movie, if a little bit more bittersweet and Miramaxy than I thought from the reviews. Less edge.

The infelicitously named Natalie Portman (who with Merchant is driving up the popularity of our daughter's name) is good if a little excessive in the "perky-girl-who-helps-the-out-of-touch-with-his-feelings guy" do, guess what. Is she trying to recharge her career with a little indie cred, or was she square from some Sci-Fi pix I never watch? Dunno. Looks wise, she's a little reminiscent of Gerda Stein in this picture.

Feels like NJ, though. He's got that OK. And without close-ups of italian sausage or shots of the skyline in the distance (yet).

I'll weigh in on the second part tomorrow. Time for bed now.