garden state philosophy

warning for those looking for a nice, well-crafted blog post: most of these are just scattered notes that i jotted down while re-watching Garden State the other day; at some point if i get bored enough (lol) i will get these into a coherent a lil essay perhaps..but for now, here's a few of those thoughts.
- Themes of : My generation (American Twenty-somethings, born in the 80s, raised in the 90s) suffering not from fear (1950s) or rebellion (60s) or anger (70s) or even greed (80s-90s)...instead there seems to be a prevailing culture quasi-pyschological phenomenon of what i'll call "Numbness" (see in the movie Andrew's "headaches" and his own comments about numbness) - it is this feeling of Emptiness and our attempts to satisfy these feelings that i believe will truly define my generation more than perhaps any other quality or issue; compare our use of drugs today versus 15, 20, 30 years ago -- so many of us have been prescribed (or otherwise inclined or obligated) to somehow synthesize happiness with neuropharmeucticals (think Prozak and friends) - there was even a direct reference in the movie to Huxley's Brave New World, to prove my point (more on that later)...
We hate the hypocricy of our current religious environment, and many decry the existence of God (or any higher being for that matter) - but yet it is difficult to deny that many do in fact wish that He (or Someone like Him) did exist, and somehow cared about our petty, insignificant lives (a concept that many find too fantastical or good to be true) - think about Andrew's character and his semi-religious perspective vs. Sam's agnostic-pragmatic view that "this is all we have."
our friendships are both a blessing and a curse, as we crave companionship and people who can "understand" - but are so often ultimately disappointed because our natural human flaws. (see Andrew's old friends)
we desire so much to be unique, to be different, to carve a name for ourselves - but we have a generation or two above us (our parents) who for the most part push on us little more than mediocre and "safe" ambitions and goals (the best intentions not withstanding - see in the movie Andrew's dad!)
we are misunderstood very often.
our parental relationships, which are so critical, and which deep down each one of us wishes was as good as possible - are too often dysfunctional and badly flawed. Dads are endangered species. (see Andrew's overbearing/misguided father, Sam's lack of a father altogether). Mothers are too worn out to truly be able to reach out and offer the hug that each of us, regardless of our age, occupation, or gender, truly needs sometimes.
we need hugs.
we misunderstand ourselves sometimes, and spend so much of our life confused as to what it is that we really want, where it is that we really want to go, and who exactly we should be.
in relationships, we can desire to find That person, who we can be safe with, who we can - no matter where we are- enjoy the feeling of "home" with - but we have no idea how to find that person, and mix up sexual frustration with deep-set desires for true intimacy.
there is a saying "we laugh because we cannot cry." i think for many of us, we get to a point of numbness, a point of "routine" if you will, that allows for neither laughing or crying. We desperately want a reason to do both (see Sam's comments to Andrew in the bar).
to be continued...
i'll talk about Zach Braff's analogy that love is letting someone blow their nose on your sleeve ;-).... i know, i'm a tease... :)