About Zach Braff I, like many others, found out from Scrubs. Charming and funny JD instantly found his place in my heart (although I`ve only watched about two seasons...). Anyway, I have time to catch up. Today I wanna to talk about something else. Today I wanna talk about Zach Braff as the director and the script writer. And specifically about two wonderful movies he`s created.
Garden State.
Garden State is the first full-length movie Zach wrote the script to and directed. He started writing the script while being a student in college, which is pretty amazing if you ask me. The movie itself came out in 2004 when Zach was already a well-known actor, thanks to Scrubs. The incredibly-written lead roles in the movie were given to the incredible actors such as Natalie Portman, Jim Parsons (who will be playing another character in Zach`s 2014 movie 'Wish I Was Here'), Peter Sarsgaard and others. The movie won a few awards, one of those is the Grammy for the best soundtrack (which Zach put together himself. may I say the soundtrack is just a-ma-zing!).
Garden State tells us a story of two people who have mental disorders. They`re weird, they meet, they understand each other and help each other, they make each other feel better about the world and about themselves, and they make each other less weird.(If very very briefly). But, as many people can think at first, this movie is not 'just another love story'. This is the story about a guy who learns to feel again, who learns to be a grownup and to make wise decisions about the future, who learns to forgive and whose life is not all sugar and rainbows and unicorns. This guy shows us that it is possible to live with mental illnesses, whatever they are, that every black stripe in our lives comes to an end, and we all can be happy eventually, and we all can get through all the troubles on our way. An amazing soundtrack works great with the picture and the script (which for me is one of the most important criteria). Some people may think the lead characters are a retarded depressed guy and a hysterical weird girl, my answer to this is - go google what a mental illness is. The way they communicate and see the world and show their emotions is not their own choice. This is what the movie is also about - don`t judge anybody, hear them out and don`t make them feel like freaks. Be human. It was very easy for me to understand the plot and relate to the characters. However, I know a lot of people who wouldn`t understand. I guess what I`m trying to say is - the movie is not for everybody. Yes, somebody can see it as the romantic melodrama, but still, it`s so much more. Zach loves all this deep philosophical stuff ;) And that was the reason for me to keep staring at the credits when the movie ended and just feel this strange nostalgic sadness. This movie is definitely one of my favourites now, and I`ll be re-watching it from time to time. It`s very warm and comfortable..if you know what I mean? And also very inspiring for those who live with mental disorders and who struggle to live a normal life. x
Wish I Was Here.
The script for this movie Zach wrote with his older brother Adam, which I guess was one of the reasons why it came out so family-oriented (unlike Garden State at some point). Zach wanted this movie to be truthful and to come out on a big screen as he and his brother saw it, that`s why there were problems with producers and eventually Zach asked his fans for a little help. Little or not, but fans donated 2 million dollars (whereas the budget was 6 million). This act of dedication showed how sure the fanbase felt about Zach`s abilities. And they were right. Having written the great script, deep and funny at the same time, put together another wonderful soundtrack, cast amazing actors such as Kate Hudson, Joey King, Jim Parsons, Donald Faison, Ashley Greene and others, Zach proved the whole world - production is not the most important thing when you`re making a movie, talent, love and passion about your work are.
Like Garden State, the movie is also about finding your way in this crazy life. Except here we have two grown-ups responsible for their two kids. Also here we have a father/sons relationship and problems. The lead character teaches us a lot about being wise, being a grown-up, being responsible and kind. He teaches us to tell people who surround us how much we care about them before it`s too late. He teaches us that life goes forward, and there`s no time to look back, and that we all can be happy no matter what. Keep in mind Zach`s great taste in music and the director`s talent, and here we have another masterpiece.
'Wish I Was Here' is about everything. This is life. We all have good days and bad days, we laugh and we cry, people come to our lives, and they leave our lives, they change us, teach us, we fight and we make up, we teach our children and then they teach us.. This movie has its own soul. It`s for those people who feel lost, who got stuck on the same page of life and is afraid of the future. Movie for those who like to smile and tear up at the same time. Just like I said about Garden State, this one is comfortable and warm and will satisfy those who like to think about 'something more'.
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(I do not own any pictures from this post. All credits go to the owner!)
