"Garden State" is so good that it shows very few signs of being a first-time director's film. It's remarkably assured and as visually striking as any movie out there right now.

But it's not just the level of accomplishment that makes "Garden State" such a welcome breath of fresh air. This often dark and certainly odd comedy has honest-to-goodness emotional investment.

Despite some quirky plotting, it feels real. (The soundtrack — which features songs from the Shins, Nick Drake, Iron & Wine and Simon & Garfunkel — is also quite good.)

"Garden State" has established Zach Braff as one of the brightest young voices in Hollywood. He wrote, directed and stars as Andrew Largeman, or "Large," a twentysomething actor struggling to make it in Hollywood. He's also struggling emotionally, as he he returns home to New Jersey for his mother's funeral.

Large hasn't seen his psychologist father (Ian Holm) in years and doesn't know what to say to him. So instead, he heads off to party with his old friends, including shady gravedigger Mark (Peter Sarsgaard). Worse, Large is going without his medication, so dealing with his father and ghosts from his past is nearly impossible. But eventually, he meets the similarly neurotic Sam (Natalie Portman), a pathological liar who starts drawing him out of his shell.

This is not a perfect movie, though it is a very good one. In particular, there are some things in questionable taste (such as gags about some rather randy animals). But the film is so emotionally honest and is so well-done that it's hard not to take to it.

Also, it's hard not to fall in love with Portman, who's absolutely adorable as the all-over-the-map Sam, which may be her best performance to date. Braff, he may seem a bit aloof at times, but that's because his character is so over-medicated (he's supposed to be emotionally numb).

The supporting cast is terrific as well, especially the always solid Sarsgaard, and in smaller roles, veterans Jean Smart, Ron Leibman and Holm.

"Garden State" is rated R for frequent use of strong sexual profanity, simulated drug use (marijuana and cocaine) and drug content (references to medications), crude humor and sight gags about (and references to) sexual functions, simulated sex and other sexual contact, a brief scene of violence (creative target-practice), and glimpses of nude drawings (done for laughs). Running time: 102 minutes.

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E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com