Garden State: and His Depression
Gina Caddeo English 099 Mr. Covell October 11, 2008 Garden State: “Large” and His Depression Work Cited
Gina Caddeo
English 099
Mr. Covell
October 11, 2008
Garden State: “Large” and His Depression In the movie, Garden State, Andrew Largeman says that his mother has been depressed her whole life, “for no apparent reason.” It is because of her depression that the accident occurs. As a nine-year-old boy, Andrew is frustrated that his mother is depressed and that he cannot make her happy. In anger he shoves her causing her to fall over the door of the dishwasher injuring her neck and causing the paralysis. It is this part of the movie that I can identify with as I too suffer from depression; I actually have what is called Bipolar Disorder. Andrew Largeman is a depressed 26-year-old, would be actor, living in Los Angeles, who has not been to his hometown, New Jersey, in nine years. He was sent away because he was blamed for the accident that subsequently paralyzed his mother and he was thought to be a danger to others because of this. He is suddenly called home when his mother dies unexpectedly in a drowning accident. He does not ever remember ever feeling love in his home, even from his mother. He has been medicated by his psychiatrist father “for as long as he can remember”, but for some reason, he decides not to take his medication with him. Once he arrives home it is apparent that he and his father have a difficult relationship as his father tells him: “Thank you for coming, saying goodbye is important, I’m glad you could fit it in.” He complains of headaches and his father sets him up to see a neurologist. It is here that he meets Sam. She brings him out of his shell of numbness with her quirky sense of humor and crazy, yet touching, antics such as tap dancing in the firelight. “Large” begins to feel again for the first time in years. He remembers one time when he was crying and his mother was wearing her favorite necklace. He said that he
Gina Caddeo
English 099
Mr. Covell
October 11, 2008
Garden State: “Large” and His Depression In the movie, Garden State, Andrew Largeman says that his mother has been depressed her whole life, “for no apparent reason.” It is because of her depression that the accident occurs. As a nine-year-old boy, Andrew is frustrated that his mother is depressed and that he cannot make her happy. In anger he shoves her causing her to fall over the door of the dishwasher injuring her neck and causing the paralysis. It is this part of the movie that I can identify with as I too suffer from depression; I actually have what is called Bipolar Disorder. Andrew Largeman is a depressed 26-year-old, would be actor, living in Los Angeles, who has not been to his hometown, New Jersey, in nine years. He was sent away because he was blamed for the accident that subsequently paralyzed his mother and he was thought to be a danger to others because of this. He is suddenly called home when his mother dies unexpectedly in a drowning accident. He does not ever remember ever feeling love in his home, even from his mother. He has been medicated by his psychiatrist father “for as long as he can remember”, but for some reason, he decides not to take his medication with him. Once he arrives home it is apparent that he and his father have a difficult relationship as his father tells him: “Thank you for coming, saying goodbye is important, I’m glad you could fit it in.” He complains of headaches and his father sets him up to see a neurologist. It is here that he meets Sam. She brings him out of his shell of numbness with her quirky sense of humor and crazy, yet touching, antics such as tap dancing in the firelight. “Large” begins to feel again for the first time in years. He remembers one time when he was crying and his mother was wearing her favorite necklace. He said that he
Cited: 1. Garden State Dir Zach Braff, Perf. Zach Braff, and Natalie Portman DVD. Foxsearchlight 2004 .