I saw this in the theatre on the strength of the trailer, in particular the frou frou song, which was new to me. I vaguely recall liking the movie but still being a disappointed that it didn't live up to my expectations. This was all pre-backlash. I didn't own the soundtrack because <hipster shoulder brush> I already had most of those tracks downloaded. Watching the trailer again, I know the Manic Pixie Dream girl thing is fraught, but Portman was perfectly cast and cute as hell in this movie.
The Oral History of the ‘Garden State’ Soundtrack, 20 Years Later
Twenty years after the release of ‘Garden State,’ the movie endures as the epitome of love-it-or-hate-it, twee indie. But if there’s one thing most people can agree on, it’s that the soundtrack was really, really good. Below, Zach Braff, James Mercer of the Shins, Imogen Heap, and more explain how it all came together.
theringer.com