In an interview with The Ringer, the director speaks of how Tarantino approached him after the ceremony to joke that the award was stolen from his film ‘Kill Bill: Vol 2’
Garden State was Braff's directorial debut and follows the story of an intellectually disabled man who returns home for his mothers funeral and begins a journey of self-realisation. The soundtrack included iconic songs from Coldplay, Simon & Garfunkel, The Shins and Damien Rice.
“I was up against Quentin Tarantino. I certainly didn’t think there would ever be a chance where I would beat Quentin Tarantino at anything.” Braff told The Ringer. “My father wanted to come, and I was like, ‘Dad, there’s no way I’m gonna win a Grammy. Tarantino is winning the Grammy, and you’re wasting your trip from Jersey out here.’ And then we f***ing won! I couldn’t believe it.”
“Tarantino jokingly said, ‘You stole my f***ing Grammy, man!’ and then gave me a big smile and a hug. He was super sweet and supportive. I was the kind of film-school kid that would have put a Reservoir Dogs poster on my wall.”
‘Garden State’ starred Braff himself as well as Natalie Portman. It was released to cinemas in 2004 and grossed over $35 million at the box office with a budget of only $3 million.
Braff continues saying that ‘Garden State’ likely won because “It was a seminal movie for a lot of people at a time in their life when they really needed to see it.”
Tarantino was not the only legendary director Braff received the praise of. The iconic Steven Spielberg sent Braff a letter congratulating him on his success and welcoming him to the industry.
“It’s framed on my wall. It was a dream letter to get from one of my heroes saying that he loved the film. I’m paraphrasing, but it was something like, ‘On behalf of so many others, I’d like to welcome you to Hollywood,’ or something like that.”
