2004
Andrew Largeman, a detached actor heavily medicated since childhood, returns home to New Jersey for his mother's funeral, where he reconnects with old friends Mark and Dave. Andrew meets Sam, a quirky young woman with epilepsy, in a doctor's waiting room and they quickly form a bond, sharing their unusual perspectives on life. As Andrew spends more time with Sam and his friends, he begins to question his lifelong reliance on medication and confronts the suppressed trauma surrounding his mother's death, which he believes he caused. Andrew learns that his mother's death was an accident, not his fault, and he decides to stop taking his medication, embracing his emotions for the first time. Andrew confronts his father, Gideon, about their strained relationship and his decision to live authentically, then initially leaves Sam at the airport to find himself, but ultimately returns to her, choosing to face his future with her by his side.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Garden State follows Andrew Largeman’s return home after his mother’s death, his struggle with emotional detachment and prescription medication, and his unexpected connection with Sam.
Open full beat sheetAndrew Largeman is listed as Protagonist. 25-year-old actor, emotionally detached, heavily medicated for most of his life. In the parsed data, Andrew Largeman is connected to 63 scenes, 79 dialogue lines, 79 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
63 scenes / 79 dialogue linesSam is listed as Love Interest. 20-year-old woman, quirky, suffers from epilepsy, compulsive liar. In the parsed data, Sam is connected to 28 scenes, 40 dialogue lines, 43 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.
28 scenes / 40 dialogue linesMark is listed as Friend. 26-year-old friend, gravedigger, eccentric. In the parsed data, Mark is connected to 23 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
23 scenes / 12 dialogue linesGideon Largeman is listed as Father. Psychiatrist, obsessed with making everyone happy. In the parsed data, Gideon Largeman is connected to 7 scenes, 31 dialogue lines, 31 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
7 scenes / 31 dialogue linesJesse is listed as Friend. Inventor of silent Velcro, wealthy and bored. In the parsed data, Jesse is connected to 6 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 20.
6 scenes / 1 dialogue linesDave is listed as Friend. 26-year-old friend, gravedigger. In the parsed data, Dave is connected to 6 scenes, first appearing around scene 10.
6 scenes / 0 dialogue linesOlivia is listed as Sam's Mother. Eccentric, pet owner. In the parsed data, Olivia is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 55.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesAlbert is listed as Quarry Guardian. Geologist, lives on a boat in a quarry. In the parsed data, Albert is connected to 3 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 54.
3 scenes / 13 dialogue linesCynthia Dillard is listed as Childhood friend. Medical student, EMT. In the parsed data, Cynthia Dillard is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 51.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesCarol is listed as Mark's Mother. Eccentric, obsessed with real estate tapes. In the parsed data, Carol is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 21.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesTitembay is listed as Sam's Brother. Adopted brother, studying criminal justice. In the parsed data, Titembay is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 33.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesKenny is listed as Friend. Police officer, former acquaintance. In the parsed data, Kenny is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 16.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesTim Payton is listed as Friend. Medieval Times knight. In the parsed data, Tim Payton is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 21.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesA plane is crashing; Andrew Largeman remains calm while others panic.
Andrew LargemanAndrew wakes up to a voicemail from his father informing him of his mother's death.
Andrew Largeman, Gideon LargemanAndrew stares at his medicine cabinet filled with prescription drugs.
Andrew LargemanAndrew navigates a crowded escalator and realizes he is walking the wrong way.
Andrew LargemanAndrew waits for an audition alongside other identical-looking actors.
Andrew LargemanAndrew sits in traffic and experiences a sudden headache.
Andrew LargemanAndrew discovers a gas pump nozzle still in his car and disposes of it.
Andrew LargemanAndrew works his shift as a waiter, dealing with difficult customers.
Andrew LargemanAndrew washes his hands and experiences another headache.
Andrew LargemanAndrew attends his mother's funeral and reconnects with Mark and Dave.
Andrew Largeman, Gideon Largeman, Mark, Dave, Cynthia DillardA shiva is held at the Largeman house.
Andrew LargemanAndrew tries on a shirt made from the same fabric as the bathroom wallpaper.
Andrew LargemanAndrew speaks with his father about his headaches and his mother's death.
Andrew Largeman, Gideon LargemanAndrew explores his old bedroom.
Andrew LargemanAndrew discovers his old motorcycle.
Andrew LargemanAndrew is pulled over by Kenny, a childhood friend who is now a police officer.
Andrew Largeman, KennyAndrew arrives at a party.
Andrew Largeman, Mark, DaveLarge navigates a crowded party at the Gleason house, where Mark introduces him as a movie star to drunk guests.
Andrew Largeman, MarkMark shows Large family photos and a bedroom where a couple is hooking up.
Andrew Largeman, MarkLarge reunites with Jesse and the group plays games while under the influence.
Andrew Largeman, Mark, Dave, JesseLarge wakes up with 'BALLS' written on his forehead and encounters a knight in the kitchen.
Andrew Largeman, Mark, Carol, Tim PaytonCarol discusses real estate tapes with Mark and Large.
Andrew Largeman, Mark, CarolLarge meets Sam while waiting for his appointment.
Andrew Largeman, SamLarge consults with Dr. Cohen about his headaches.
Andrew LargemanLarge discusses his headaches and medication history with a doctor.
Andrew LargemanLarge undergoes a Catscan.
Andrew LargemanLarge meets Sam at a bus stop and offers her a ride.
Andrew Largeman, SamLarge and Sam ride the bike and discuss a plan to visit Jesse.
Andrew Largeman, SamLarge and Sam visit Jesse, who is shooting flaming arrows.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, JesseLarge drops Sam off at her home.
Andrew Largeman, SamLarge enters Sam's house and meets her mother and dogs.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, OliviaLarge and Sam talk in the living room.
Andrew Largeman, SamLarge and Sam talk in her bedroom about her brother and her blanket.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, TitembayLarge and Sam bury the hamster in the pet cemetery.
Andrew Largeman, SamLarge attends the Shiva and talks with Cynthia.
Andrew Largeman, Cynthia DillardLarge enters the kitchen and shares a silent, emotional embrace with Janice.
Andrew LargemanLarge wakes up and looks at pictures.
Andrew LargemanLarge enters his father's bedroom and takes a perfume bottle.
Andrew LargemanLarge and Gideon have a tense conversation about the mother's death.
Andrew Largeman, Gideon LargemanLarge visits Mark and Jesse at the cemetery where Mark is stealing from a coffin.
Andrew Largeman, Mark, Dave, JesseLarge visits Sam's home and watches an old ice skating video.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, Olivia, TitembayLarge and Sam drink at a bar and discuss their lives.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, Mark, Dave, JesseThe group swims in Jesse's pool.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, Mark, Dave, JesseThe group sits by a fire and Large reveals the truth about his mother's accident.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, Mark, JesseLarge gets orange juice in the kitchen.
Andrew LargemanLarge and Gideon have a tense conversation about Large's departure and their relationship.
Andrew Largeman, Gideon LargemanLarge visits Mark, who shows off his egg baby and trading card collection.
Andrew Largeman, MarkLarge, Mark, and Sam ride a motorcycle through the suburbs.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, MarkThe group encounters Karl Benson at the mall.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, MarkMark returns steak knives without a receipt.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, MarkLarge and Mark visit Cynthia at the rescue squad.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, Mark, Cynthia DillardThe group enters a secret hallway where people watch others through peepholes.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, MarkThe group arrives at the abandoned quarry.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, MarkThey meet Albert and Faye inside their boat at the quarry.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, Mark, AlbertAlbert explains his work as a geologist and guardian of the abyss to Large, Sam, and Mark, while Faye serves tea.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, Mark, Albert, OliviaAlbert gives Mark the item he requested, and the group departs into the rain.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, Mark, Albert, OliviaLarge, Sam, and Mark scream into the abyss and share a kiss.
Andrew Largeman, Sam, MarkMark gives Large his mother's necklace.
Andrew Largeman, Mark, SamLarge and Sam sit in the bathtub; Large confronts his feelings about his mother.
Andrew Largeman, SamLarge and Sam lie together; Large decides to speak to his father.
Andrew Largeman, SamLarge confronts Gideon about their past and his decision to stop taking medication.
Andrew Largeman, Gideon LargemanLarge tells Sam he needs time to find himself.
Andrew Largeman, SamGideon experiences a traumatic flashback of his wife drowning.
Gideon LargemanLarge returns to Sam, deciding they should be together.
Andrew Largeman, SamOccasionally she would hum.., your Mother. Always the same tune and I never knew what the song was. I don't even know if it was a song or if she just made it up - It's funny because it always struck me as so out of character for her and every time she did it... I just always liked it. But I never told her I could hear her because I knew if I ever did she would stop. She took a bath every night. And she was always very quiet. The only thing I would ever hear when I'm in the bedroom was a little splashing of water when she was moving around. And every now and then, her humming. so anyway, then usually she would call me when she was done, so I could come and help her out. But this time, that night... she never called. And I just figured she was taking a longer bath or something, but when I called out to her, she didn't answer. So then I uh... When I came in, she was there.
It's funny; this thing reminds me of this really random memory of my mother. Its so weird, I haven't thought about this in so long, but this great memory I have where I was a little kid and I was crying for one reason or another and she was kind of holding me and rocking me back and forth. And I could see the little balls in this thing just rolling back and forth. And there was just snot dripping down my nose. And she just handed me her sleeve and told me to just blow my nose into it. And I remember thinking, even as a very little kid, "Wow. This is love."
Who knows? Maybe. But I used to think that was all that mattered. No matter what it was, as long as I could put my name on it. Like it would somehow justify the fact that I lived; that I was here. "I did that. That's mine. I got this plate on my travels." But you know what? That's all ego; none of that stuff really matters. If at the end of the day I get to be with her, if I get to be with this person right here and the baby we created, then that's all I need. Just having felt that... If I die in an hour, I know I've lived.
I know. But that... that is life. if nothing else... That is life. St's real. And sometimes it burns. But maybe... it might be all there is. Look at you. Look at you. You look like you just came back to life.
You know, Andrew, the hour will come one day when you stop avoiding all the people that love you. And when it does I sure hope you come find me... 'cause I'd love to know who you are.
It's so funny isn't it? But I think that's the single most amazing moment I remember of my Mother. 'Cause she wasn't sad and she wasn't being prodded to be happy, she was just there.
You don't realize. This is good. This doesn't happen often in your life. We can figure this stuff out. I wanna help you. We need each other; I haven't even lied in two days.
Let go. Listen to me. Just don't hang onto any of it anymore. You're holding on so tight and you just... you don't have to hang onto any of it anymore. Just let it all go.
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.