If you enjoyed Zach Braff’s Garden State, you’ll love the new movie Humboldt County. Both location-titled films follow a similar blueprint, opening with a passionless young fellow who is transported and changed forever by a beautiful, free-spirited leading lady. Peter Hadley, a UCLA med student, has spent his entire life living up to his father’s expectations. On the verge of receiving a promising residency, his professor fails him. The devastating moment is compacted with the meek protest, “But, Dad…” Peter then meets jazz singer Bogart Truman, and the two exchange little dialogue before she takes him back to her room. The next morning, she asks him if he wants to take a ride. The two arrive in Humboldt County in absolute darkness and almost immediately Peter finds himself thrown to the ground in panic. A loud gunshot rings out and the man is introduced to the Truman family. Peter finds out the Truman house is one of liberality after he watches joints being passed around openly on a consistent basis. He is quickly impressed by Charity, a young girl who answers his shock with what becomes the general perception of marijuana throughout the movie: “It’s just a plant.” Humboldt County explores the dichotomy of liberal versus conservative upbringings and our perceptions of the infamous hippie culture of Northern California. From urban images of old elevators and cheap hotel rooms, the movie offers frame after frame of gorgeous lighting and picturesque scenes.