I would like to offer up for discussion: Garden State bears and striking resemblance to Beautiful Girls.
First, Natalie Portman is essentially playing the same role in both movies. The quirky, “old soul” that leads the protagonist through his journey of self discovery. I mean the characters are both girls with “male” names; in GS she’s “Sam” and in BG she’s “Marty”. You’ve got to be kidding me.
Second, the lead character goes home to a suburban east coast town, has a dead mom, needs some life juiced squeezed from his family tree fruit and even has the same hair cut. Hutton pulls it off a bit better but that’s just opinion.
Third, same ancillary characters pretty much; there’s disconnected dad, quirky but down-for-the-journey townie friends, spunky “real girl” from town…there’s even the musical scene while everyone hangs out to get back with each other.
Fourth, the music is a hip milieu of then-current bands that are are alternative enough to be edgy but pop-y enough to make you think “man, listen to this one band…it’ll change your life.”
Right?
Male side kick has a dark B-story.
Soliloquies abound that include over-wrought dialogue and introspective “genius” perspectives on…like…life man.
I’m sure I could make this a little more academic but that would mean having to actually watch GS again. Something I plan not to have to do again. No offense Zack; you wrote a movie and got is produced AND you got to direct it (along with a dream cast of great actors) and people love it.
I’m just saying.
P.S. BG rules it if only for the inclusion of The Afghan Whigs as the bar band doing sweet soul music covers.