The Garden State: 10 Best Movies That Take Place In New Jersey
While many movies take place in Los Angeles or New York, New Jersey is also at the center of many popular culture references. Some say its proximity to New York is what put it on the map but those from the garden state know it has a life and culture all its own. There's a long list of books, TV series, and movies set in New Jersey, and this list is looking at the 10 best of those movies, including a few cult classics that became threads in mainstream culture. These 10 films do the state proud.
Big Night
Brothers Primo and Secondo run an intimate, old-world-style Italian restaurant in New Jersey. A rival restaurant in town has been stealing their patrons and the business is failing.
In an attempt to revitalize their failing business, the brothers plan an evening of exquisite food for a special guest. When their guest never arrives they realize that the rival restauranteur, a man they considered a friend, has duped them. The night is far from wasted anyway. This award-winning film not only explores the passionate world of Italian cuisine but it also delves deep into what it means to be Italian in New Jersey.
Welcome To The Dollhouse
This dark coming-of-age comedy was met with a surprising amount of critical success for an independent film with a small budget. This could be because it goes all in on the cringe comedy. Welcome to the Dollhouse follows the life of Dawn, an awkward 11-and-a-half-year-old with few friends. Her home life is grim as well as her parents overtly favor her spoiled younger sister. This film is a cult classic and does New Jersey proud.
Garden State
Garden State is New Jersey native Zach Braff's directorial debut. Braff stars in the film as Andrew Largeman. Andrew has left home to live in LA and pursue a career in acting. He's heavily medicated for a mental health condition that only his psychologist father seems to believe he has. When Andrew's mother dies he returns home for her funeral and begins an experiment by going off his meds. He discovers feelings he'd forgotten he had, falls in love, and decides to move back to New Jersey to focus on himself and his new relationship. It's hard to think of films set in New Jersey, and not have Garden State spring to mind.
The Hurricane
Denzel Washington stars in this biopic about former middleweight boxing champion Ruben Carter, also known as "The Hurricane." He's wrongfully convicted of a triple homicide which changes his life forever, as he's sentenced to 25 years in prison. The film tells the story of a man who kept his resolve against impossible odds. After his release, Carter struggles to cope with losing so much of his life to a crime he didn't commit. This New Jersey-set film was met with strong critical acclaim.
The Wrestler
Legendary method actor Mickey Rourke stars in this film about Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a professional wrestler who's stuck in the past. Despite his health gradually failing him and his increasing age, Randy refuses to leave the ring. He's determined to recapture the fame and success of his 1980s heyday. Many feel that this film and its main character epitomize New Jersey.
The Toxic Avenger
The Toxic Avenger is the first film from the Troma Entertainment company. This cult classic became a symbol for campy '80s B-movies. Small, nerdy janitor Melvin is transformed into an unlikely superhero when bullies chase him into a barrel of toxic waste. He gains unusual size and strength and becomes Toxie, the Toxic Avenger. The transformation also leaves him disfigured.
Toxie cleans up the streets of Tromaville by taking out scumbags and criminals. A local crime boss isn't happy with this and tries to take him out. The corrupt mayor has had enough of the hero as well. In the end, the people of Tromaville protect their hero and he lives on to fight in more sequels. The film series inspired cartoons, comic books, and lines of toys as well. This film immortalized New Jersey in pop culture.
Clerks
Clerks is an absolute cult classic. You cannot think of New Jersey movies without thinking of Kevin Smith and his creative masterworks. This black-and-white comedy about two men stuck in dead-end jobs is a piece of iconic New Jersey film culture.
The film is centered on Dante getting called into work on his day off. He hears the unfortunate news of an ex-girlfriend's passing, leading to him and his best friend, Randal, getting hilariously philosophical.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
Buckaroo Bonzai is the crime-fighting rocks tar, brain surgeon, and adventurer who leads the Hong Kong Cavaliers. A race of evil aliens from the 8th dimension plan to invade and conquer Earth. Buckaroo Bonzai and his crew, with the help of another more cooperative extraterrestrial race, must defend their home planet.
The evil aliens are after the "oscillation overthruster," a piece of ground-breaking technology that Buckaroo invented. Hijinx ensues in this film that is so beloved by its fans that it even inspires local conventions.
Atlantic City
Susan Sarandon played a pivotal role in earning this film critical acclaim. Atlantic City was nominated for several awards. However, despite the high ratings, it was a box-office disappointment. Sarandon plays Sally, a waitress with dreams of becoming a blackjack dealer in Monte Carlo. Sally's ex-husband shows up with some stolen cocaine and a plan to sell it. This well-reviewed film showcases the grit of New Jersey's famous Atlantic City.
Chasing Amy
Kevin Smith strikes again in this Jersey-centered rom-com. Best friends and comic book creators Holden and Banky find their relationship tested when one of them falls in love with a beautiful lesbian, Alyssa, at a convention. As the film progresses, Holden realizes his best friend's jealousy and resentment stem from the fact that he's actually in love with him. Holden clumsily destroys both relationships. Kevin Smith honors his home state again with this classic comedy.
