Live Life Now

Throughout Garden State, the characters constantly reiterate that you only have one chance at life, and you must take that chance now in the present moment. One of the first times we see this theme is when Sam convinces Andrew to make a unique movement and/or sound. She explains to him how wonderful it is to be the first and only person to do something. Although he doesn't entirely get her point, we see him learn throughout the film that being unique and living life as it comes is extremely important.

By the end of the film, Andrew has completely changed. In the beginning, he thought Sam was crazy for her desire and attempts to live in the present, but by the time the film is over, Andrew tells his father that he has only one life to live and has to start living it...