I’m not sure how he did it, but Zach Braff has parlayed a few television appearances in the late nineties into a starring role on “Scrubs” and his own feature film, “Garden State,” which he wrote and directed. Braff is pretty good on “Scrubs” but I think the writers (along with John C. McGinley) are the real stars of that series.
The thing that gets me is that someone is convinced that Braff’s characters are worthy of leading ladies like Heather Graham, Mandy Moore and, in “Garden State,” Natalie Portman. Braff is not a handsome man. Watching him woo these lovely ladies is testing the limits of my ability to suspend disbelief.
I recently watched “Garden State” for the second time and, while Braff did a reasonably good job with the story and directing, his acting was quite flat. I realize that his character is supposedly off his meds for the first time in years, but even that would make his character a little livlier.
Despite this, I would say that I moderately enjoyed the movie until the final scenes, where Braff and Portman declare their love for one another in the airport. I can’t believe this schmuck would even consider leaving a beauty like Portman to “sort things out” back in L.A.. The ending, especially the acting, is so incredulous that it basically ruins the movie for me.
But kudos to Braff for fulfilling his dream. I am impressed by his accomplishment (writing and directing your own feature is no small feat) but I am befuddled by its existence.
The appeal of Zach Braff can be summed up in four words: Chicks dig funny guys.
This is the only reason Jack Black has a steady girlfriend, for example.
I acknowledge that. But I just don’t find him (Braff) that funny, either.
Zach Braff is a welcome breath of fresh air in a business dominated by arogant assholes with pretty faces, and while “Garden State” isn’t perfect, it’s an impressive debut film. Just wait five or ten years; Braff will be one of the most respected and successful actors of his generation.
With that said, look for “The Office” co-star Jon Krasinski to slide into the new role of “It” boy over the next year or two. This guy’s got talent written all over him…
Didn’t Braff date Mandy Moore in real life? It ain’t just on Scrubs that Braff is gettin’ the babes. I didn’t like Garden State either, but if Scott Stampp can get a girlfriend, anyone can.
As for leaving Portman’s character behind at the end of Garden State, that didn’t phase me one bit. Sure, she’s cute, but she had stuff of her own to deal with. More importantly, that’s what people do in real life; they let opportunities slip away, because they feel an obligation to see their current responsibilities through. Life is pain, isn’t that what Geena Davis once said?
Braff might be a successful writer/director, but I seriously doubt that he will be “one of the most respected and successful actors of his generation.” His acting in “Garden State” was 50% brutal.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never met a schlubby 5 who left, even for a moment, a 9 like Portman at the airport. What stuff did she have to deal with? So, she has epilepsy, big f*cking deal. It’s Natalie Portman! This chick is gorgeous. So, she lies from time to time, who f*cking cares? It’s Natalie Portman!
If Braff was such a genius, he would have cast a believable actress to play the lead. Someone that a non-handsome non-working actor playing a mentally challenged quarterback could get in real life. Natalie doesn’t fall into that category.
Better yet, he would have cast a believable actor to play the lead.
Wow. Don’t hate the playa, Eli. Hate the game.
We are all very disappointed that we are not dating (and, according to online reports that may or may not be accurate, perhaps even engaged to) Mandy Moore in real life, and that Zach is.
Life is full of unfairness, and yet each of us must find a way to struggle onward just the same.
Eli, that’s the funniest thing about this Braff rant: You keep talking about how a Portman/Braff couple isn’t believable, and yet he’s dating Mandy Moore in real life. There’s obviously something there, even if you don’t see it.
Besides, most guys would admit they don’t deserve to be with a woman as beautiful as their wife or girlfriend. Well, if they’re smart, they’ll say that, anyway.
Come on, spill the beans, Eli: Either Braff owes you money, stole your girlfiend or ripped off your “Garden State” screenplay. That would explain all the bitterness.
Buffy, my concerns have to do with how Braff has had his success, not the chicks he’s getting as a result. I think Moore is pretty but annoying, so they probably make a good real-life couple.
>>Wow. Don’t hate the playa, Eli. Hate the game.
I gave props to him for his accomplishment. It is no small feat.
You gave him props, but then you turned around and basically discredited everything he’s accomplished.
>>yet he’s dating Mandy Moore in real life. There’s obviously something there, even if you don’t see it.
Yeah, he’s a successful writer/director/actor…like I said, I don’t have a problem that he’s getting chicks in real life. Every Hollwood “star” can get chicks. The role he played in “GS” was that of an actor who’s biggest role was of a mentally challenged quarterback. That character is not going to get a girl who looks like Natalie Portman.
>>You gave him props, but then you turned around and basically discredited everything he’s accomplished.
The point of the piece was that he’s accomplished a lot in the business when, to me, he’s not a particularly good actor. More importantly, I don’t think he’s a leading man and when I see his characters with some of today’s biggest hotties, I just want to cringe.
I did say he was pretty good in “Scrubs” and that “Garden State” was decent.
But you’re telling me that it’s realistic that a psychologist as hot as Heather Graham would go for John Dorian, who may or may not be heterosexual?
That’s my point.
“But you’re telling me that it’s realistic that a psychologist as hot as Heather Graham would go for John Dorian, who may or may not be heterosexual?”
Um…yes, actually, that is exactly what I’m telling you. I’ve never had a problem believing it. You’re telling me you’ve never seen a hot girl with a goofy looking guy before? Guys get girls who are apparently out of their league all the time.
I don’t think your mom ever taught you that it’s what’s inside that counts. Chicks dig guys with personality and a sense of humor.
Hell, that’s how I married someone out of my league.
“I don’t think your mom ever taught you that it’s what’s inside that counts. Chicks dig guys with personality and a sense of humor.”
I thought we were having a light conversation and you bring my mom into it?
I married up as well, so I get the concept. I see goofy guys with hot chicks occasionally, but I usually see them with goofy girls. And so far, JD has landed three model-types and the character in GS landed Natalie Portman who is one of the most beautiful women on the planet.
If this wasn’t a trend, I wouldn’t mention it. It would be more refreshing to see something a little more realistic.
I think it would be great if JD and Elliot stayed together. That’s a realistic relationship.
This light conversation is truly stimulating, and Eli does make a compelling case for hotness as a more important character trait in a mate than, say, honesty, fidelity, or personality.
The suspense is killing me, though, as to who will have the last word on the subject. My money’s on Eli.
Well, this will be my last post on the subject, and it’s just to say that the mom comment wasn’t a crack on your mom, Eli. Just poking a little fun at the fact that you seem to place more stock in a person’s looks than the “Scrubs” producers.
Aw, Carl, don’t give up the fun-poking so easily. Just because my money’s on Eli doesn’t mean I can’t live with an upset. Keep the game interesting, my man…
Nah. To each his own, right?
I don’t think my original post had anything to do with what is more valuable in life: looks or personality (and now, somehow I don’t value honesty or fidelity - nice instigating leap, Buffy).
You may find Zach Braff’s on screen personality especially interesting - I do not. I don’t think he’s a great leading man and I don’t think that the characters he plays should regularly be getting model-types. If he was particularly charming or witty, maybe, but neither JD nor Garden State character has/had these characteristics.
It’s like the state of advertising today. 99% of commercials that use a couple always have some schlubby guy with a hot wife. Generally, the schlubby guy is screwing up somehow (making a mess, ruining dinner, breaking something, etc.) while the hot wife rolls her eyes, pulls out some magic product/food that fixes everything.
Now this dynamic has seeped into entertainment in the form of Zach Braff and his revolving harem of models.
And I won’t even get into how big of a double standard that is. Where are all the goofy girls?
Elliot is a good start.
Forgive me for putting words in your mouth, Eli. When you wrote “So what if she lies from time to time?” about Natalie’s Portman’s character, I interpreted that as meaning that it is okay for people to lie as long as they are hot.
Point taken…but fidelity?
And her lies weren’t big ones. Just little white lies, “about nothing,” if I remember correctly.
The part about Natalie Portman’s character was meant to be funny. I don’t think the stuff she had to deal with was major enough to force the two to separate, setting up yet another airport reunion.
Natalie Portman’s a dog. She’ll always look like a 13 year old about to hit puberty.
I have nothing to top that.
“She’ll always look like a 13 year old about to hit puberty.”
AMEN. I’m not sure she’ll ever be anything more than “cute” and I rarely buy her in the roles she plays because she always looks/acts too young.
Cut. Print it. Annnnnnnd that’s a wrap, people.
Well, I hope you people are happy. My wife has just left me for Zach Braff.