If not that, then they try too hard to be so funny or so different, neglecting plot and character development in the process. Garden State does not fall into either category.

Braff plays Andrew "Large" Largeman. Andrew returns home for his mother's funeral. It has been a decade since he was last home and he must face his father and former friends.

Andrew has been in Los Angeles, trying to succeed as an actor, but not fairing very well. Perhaps it is because Andrew has been sentenced to a life of numbness by his father (Holm), who is a psychiatrist. Certain events in Andrew's childhood led his father to think this was necessary.

Andrew sees another psychiatrist and decides he wants to try to feel emotions. Personally, I find emotions overrated, but it would help with the acting. So he stops taking all the drugs and, for the first time since he can remember, experiences life without padding.

Andrew is aided in doing this by an old friend, Mark (Sarsgaard), and his new friend, Sam (Portman), who he met at the psychiatrist’s office. The usual: boy visits a shrink; seeing-eye dog humps boy’s leg; girl laughs at boy - very atypical.

The premise actually does sound pretty atypical summarized. Many would get to this point and say, “Oh, great. Another coming of age story.” But just as “Garden State” defies the usual indie writer/director/actor debut patterns, so does it defy the usual coming of age clichés.

“Garden State” is a coming-of-age story for a new age - the Prozac generation. It deals with an issue that is far too common anymore; people numb from the neck up, drugged with Prozac or some other anti-depressant.

Rather than getting help working through our feelings, we’re told that there’s something wrong with us for having certain feelings. So rather than deal with what might be causing the issue, we’re given drugs to relieve us of those awful feelings.

Braff’s unique characters and bizarre situations demand your attention. The usual physical obstacles which most movies contain, like he has to catch a plane but there's no time because he has to save his cat, are gone. For some, this could be interpreted as boring. But for most, it will be refreshing. “Garden State” somehow takes an inner struggle and displays it fabulously on the screen. The cinematography and odd humor create a captivating landscape.

“Garden State” breaks the mold – and it won’t grow back here.

Grade: A

Taryn can be contacted at tas75@comcast.net