“Garden State” follows the story of actor Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff), who has been taking antidepressants much of his life and has been unable to find work as an actor since a stint playing an individual with a disability. He receives a phone call from his father stating that his mother, a paraplegic, has passed, and Largeman travels to New Jersey from Hollywood for his mother’s funeral. While there, he catches up with his friends and attends a party, trying to reconnect with a life he has felt detached from due to distance and antidepressants. During his time in New Jersey, his relationship with his father (Ian Holm) remains tense, although his father repeatedly attempts to make time to speak with Largeman. Largeman tells his father that he has been having sharp headaches, and his father sets up an appointment with a neurologist. While waiting for his neurologist appointment, Largeman meets Sam (Natalie Portman), an epileptic pathological liar. He spends time with both her and his friends over the next few days as he begins to feel like he is finally living life again.