“Garden State” – It’s a great romance film precisely because it doesn’t seem like a romance. It stars Zach Braff (who also directed and compiled the Shins-heavy soundtrack) as a bright 20-something wandering aimlessly through life. Refreshingly, he lacks the sarcasm usually found in this archetype, opening the door for Peter Sarsgaard to steal scenes as the best friend and Natalie Portman to steal male filmgoers’ hearts.
– John Hansen, Brainerd Dispatch, Dec. 23, 2004