Media critics are attacking the iconic indie movie “Garden State” and its writer, director and star, Zach Braff, almost 20 years after the film’s release.
Just when you thought the entertainment industry didn’t have enough time on its hands to do and say more dumb stuff, media critics have turned on Zach Braff and his superb 2004 indie film “Garden State,” according to Variety. The film had a Grammy-winning soundtrack, was honored at Sundance Film Festival, and is still a great watch on a rainy Sunday.
In 2015, a decade after the film’s release, Vice celebrated its anniversary by saying the film actually “sucked.” Even Variety went pretty woke in its review of the film almost 20 years on.
Thankfully, Braff seems to not give a damn about what journalists, reviewers and faceless trolls have to say. He addressed the negative critiques of “Garden State” in a Tuesday interview with the Independent.
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Media Loses It Over Morgan Wallen’s Latest Number One Hit | @DailyCaller https://t.co/REVGtzNmG2
— KAY SMYTHE (@KaySmythe) March 22, 2023
“I mean, I just feel lucky that I get to make stuff. I can’t really dwell on it. Anyone who’s ever got a bad grade on an essay from a teacher can relate – just imagine it was out there in public, you know?” he told the interviewer. “No one said being a creative person was easy, but you have to be vulnerable and authentically yourself. Otherwise, what’s the point?”
Braff’s comments come in harsh antithesis to those of fellow filmmaker Seth Rogen, who blubbed pretty hard earlier in March about the way people’s mean words hurt his feelings.
Braff has clearly experienced immense emotional pain throughout his life, having lost friends and family far before their time. But despite his stardom thanks to shows such as “Scrubs,” he’s one of those creatives we only ever hear about when he actually has something to say. And he clearly doesn’t lie.
“The losses I’ve endured… there were so many moments where I felt like things couldn’t get any worse,” Braff told the Independent. Within the horror of loss, he and his family managed to find ways to laugh — something I greatly respect in anyone, because it shows a true humility for our short existence on this planet.
To be honest, anyone without the ability to have a deep, emotional conversation should hate “Garden State.” It’s an introvert’s film, taking a sharp look at the nuance of the human condition, very real gender differences and how we react to each other’s strange behaviors.
Braff held a mirror up to our faults and the simplicity of finding joy in the modern world, and anyone with an ounce of insecurity can’t handle content like that. He did the same with his other movies, particularly “Wish I Was Here.” (RELATED: Apple’s Latest Mega TV Show ‘Shantaram’ Is Going To Totally Divide The Audience)
Journalists and reviewers also hated B.J. Novak’s “Vengeance” for similar reasons. While some spewed crap about the writing or storyline, what they actually hated was how well Novak held a mirror up to the disgusting, wannabe celebrity of most journalists. I absolutely loved the film for this reason alone. It was also laugh-out-loud funny in the darkest of ways.
I am sure Braff’s next movie, “A Good Person” will be just as moving as his last few. You can watch the trailer here: