Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
Almost 20 years after its release,Zach Braffis addressing the perceived shortcomings of 2004’sGarden State.
TheScrubsalum, 47, spoke about the film’s criticisms during an interview withThe Independentthat was published Tuesday.
“I was just copying Diane Keaton inAnnie Halland Ruth Gordon inHarold and Maude,” Braff told the online newspaper. “Those were my two favorite movies growing up, and I was kind of taking those two female protagonists and melding them into Natalie Portman.
“Of course I’ve heard and respect the criticism, but…I was a very depressed young manwho had this fantasy of a dream girl coming along and saving me from myself.”
“And so I wrote that character,” Braff added.
Braff told the publication the process of writing the 2004 indie film came from his battle with “something.”
“I wasn’t as extreme as Andy, but I was certainly battling my own demons. As I was writing it, I was hoping I could survive what became known as the quarter-life crisis, and depression, and fantasizing that the perfect woman would come along and rescue me,” Braff said.
Despite the criticism, Braff told the outlet, “I can’t really dwell on it.”
“I mean, I just feel lucky that I get to make stuff,” Braff said.
“Anyone who’s ever got a bad grade on an essay from a teacher can relate – just imagine it was out there in public, you know,” he added. “No one said being a creative person was easy, but you have to be vulnerable and authentically yourself. Otherwise, what’s the point?”
After many years of filmmaking, he said: “Your skin gets tougher.”
Braff’s latest film,A Good Person, stars exFlorence Pugh, 27,Morgan Freeman, 85, andMolly Shannon, 58.
RELATED VIDEO: Zach Braff Honors His Late Friend Nick Cordero with a Touching Tattoo Tribute
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Pugh and Braff began dating in 2019 but the actress revealedthey broke upin an interview withHarper’s BAZAARin September of last year.
“I’m just in awe of her talent and I said, ‘I wanna write this for Florence. What I’m writing is really gonna be challenging, and she’s incredible,’ " he said, addingthat Pugh is “a next-level actress"and “just unbelievable.”
“I wanted to write something for her and I had this image in my mind of that diner-booth scene and I thought of Florence Pugh opposite some legend that everyone’s talking about,” he added.
A Good Personis in select theaters March 24, everywhere March 31.
source: people.com
