PERFORMANCE PERSPECTIVES

"Garden State"

BALANCING THE FORCES.

Actor, director and writer - that's a challenge. ZACHUARY BRAFF rises to this task in a very capable way. And it's his first film. Zach known for his engaging performances in 'Scrubs' doesn't let his fans down here.

This enjoyable film is structurally flawed as the story slows in the second half leading to a slightly unfulfilling ending. The ending is disappointing because the film is strongly focused on the journey of the young man. NATALIE PORTMAN does a good job in creating a character that is more than just a desirable partner. She plays an effective and active role in moving him along his path. But the ending makes it just a love story. So the unity of the storytelling is disrupted to a degree. Nevertheless the film has something to say and is entertaining to watch - and entertainment is the primary reason to go to the cinema.

The story is at its most potent when dealing with the father/son or mother/son relationships. One of the factors here is the extraordinary acting power of IAN HOLM (who plays the father). He is soooooo good. It is only a small part with a handful of scenes, but IAN achieves a perfect balance. He achieves a balance between his characters connection with the past and his active 'need' of the moment. He is always being influenced by an emotionally weighted recollection of the past while actively dealing with the present. And it's the active present that keeps the story moving. The skill he exhibits in this area might be due to the experience that age brings. Practice is a useful way of testing and assessing performance process and the older actors have been able to accrue more practice. But it's not just about practice. The young MARLON BRANDO achieved a remarkable balance of these forces in "On the Waterfront".

ZACHUARY BRAFF is no MARLON BRANDO. But he does the job well. He is very believable and he delivers the story in an entertaining way. This is a remarkable effort for a young actor at the beginning of his career.

January 2005

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