Zach Braff (of the TV series "Scrubs") wrote, directed and starred in this richly textured film that depicts a young man, out of touch with reality, coming to know who he really is. It was a hit at the Sundance Film Festival early this year and it’s easy to see why because it goes against the grain of Hollywood’s typical unrealistic way of depicting real life situations. Usually, on-screen real life is juiced up to give a film dramatic impact yet the outcome often lacks the pulp, which gives life its flavor. Normally, the story has three parts: a set up that shows how a situation has developed; progress toward resolution of the problem, which soon runs into stumbling blocks; and a climax that resolves the problem and ties everything together. If you know someone with a life like that, please let us know so we talk with him or her to find out how we should run our lives.

Andrew Largeman (Braff) comes home to New Jersey from his job (usually as a waiter) in Hollywood to honor his mother at her funeral. He’s a struggling actor, estranged from his father (Ian Holm) because of an accident years earlier that resulted in his mother being disabled. Andrew has been in a haze for as long as he can remember because of anti depressant drugs prescribed by his psychiatrist father. When Andrew takes a holiday from his daily pill popping routine, a new world opens to him.

At the cemetery, Andrew is reunited with his best buddy from high school, Mark (Peter Sarsgaard), who happens to be fairly content with his dead end job of digging graves, and still living at home with his over-the-top, free spirited mother (Jean Smart). Another old friend is an odd duck who has become wealthy because he invented a Velcro that makes no noise. He lives in an unfurnished mansion and gives great, wild parties. In spite of having the financial means to leave town for life in the big city, this millionaire has decided that running in place gets him where he’s interested in going.

Just about the time you are wondering where this quirky, ho hum movie is going, and you are asking if Natalie Portman (who gave a wonderful and too brief performance in "Cold Mountain") is really in the film, she makes her appearance ¾ with the impact of two hot wires that are connected and turn on the lights. The film brightens and so does Andrew’s outlook. The romance that develops between them is absent of false drama and it’s not idealistic love at first sight. Their relationship evolves just like in real life. She has her own issues but is a few steps ahead of Andrew in knowing where she is, where she wants to go and how to get there.

Zach Braff, best known as the lead on the NBC comedy series, "Scrubs," makes an impressive writer-director-star debut. Natalie Portman delivers her best performance yet. For young adults who want a film aimed squarely at them, which skips the use of action oriented, computer generated image spectacles, lacks gastronomical jokes and other raunchy fare, will be pleased to be treated as respectful young adults.

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