Old Joy
Based on Jonathan Raymond’s short story and featuring a soundtrack from Yo La Tengo, Reichardt’s second feature chronicles a short camping trip by two old friends to a quasi-mystical oasis, the Bagby Hot Springs, in Oregon’s lush Cascade Mountains. The actors in this Cain-Abel story are Kurt (cult musician Will Oldham), a post-hippie with never-present promise; and Mark (Daniel London), the father-to-be, intent on putting the Kurt part of his life behind him, but also silently nostalgic for a more carefree, radical past.
Far more than a lo-fi indie riff on Brokeback Mountain, the intricately layered Old Joy is in part an elegy for the ’70s American cinematic revolution - with shades of Easy Rider and the Oregon-shot Five Easy Pieces - but also fits square into the minimalism of present-day arthouse cinema. A gorgeous nature film, Old Joy is sensatory and full of room for interpretation. Reichardt considers what it means to be free in Bush’s America, throws two kinds of individual freedom together, watches the muted sparks fly and hopes for common ground, creating "one of the finest American films of the year" (New York Times).
Member Reviews
A nice detox from big budget Hollywood... - cathyottawa
..but a bit too self-indulgent.
There is a real beauty to this film, that is undeniable. We have long shots of being on the road (and I felt like I was in the car with them), the great outdoors, chirping birds, running water....it's lovely, but it overstays it's welcome.
There is probably only twenty minutes worth of dialogue here, the rest consists of these aforementioned long shots, sometimes accompanied by a Yo La Tengo soundtrack (apparently a big deal).
The central theme is nothing earth shattering - two guys that were good friends as teens find they've drifted apart, and can't really get back to that place. With dialogue like "there's something between us, and I wish it would go away!", and "it makes you realize how long ago sixteen was", this theme isn't exactly subtle.
Critics are being far too generous reading any more into the film than that.
I didn't think this film was pretentious, or trying too hard to be deep; more so the opposite. This is an idea for a movie, not a movie (or at least not a very entertaining one).
Still, there is something compelling here. I felt comfortable with these guys. I felt like I knew them well, and knew how they had been as teens, and how they had drifted apart. I recognized the nostalgia for the, well, old joy of their youth, and the realization that it's gone forever.
But you definitely need to be in the mood for mellow with this one.
And by the way, any talk about comparisons to Brokeback Mountain is just rubbish. Not even close.New Joy to me! - rainsmell
The simplicity of this movie is what makes it. Who makes a movie of everyday these days? It allows us to relate to the characters in a genuine way. It was also fun to see Bonnie "Prince" Billy in person and wonder how much he relates to this Old Joy character....I find myself thinking about parts of this film many weeks after seeing it. Yes, it's slow paced, but a refreshing break from the breakneck speed of more common films these days.Pretty Good ...For Nothing - Big_J
I must post a review just to disagree with the others about this movie. I though this was an amaing film even if there wasn't much happening. The thing is at this point in ,y life I really related to the nothingness of the story. When you have kids and you're in your thirties this is a pretty sweet way to spend a couple of days. It doesn't even seem like acting just a couple of regular dudes hanging out... which says a lot for the performances. I would recomend this one... but it is really slow and it's defonotely not for everyone. I really hope Will Oldman is in more movies.
Member Reviews
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A nice detox from big budget Hollywood... - cathyottawa
..but a bit too self-indulgent.
There is a real beauty to this film, that is undeniable. We have long shots of being on the road (and I felt like I was in the car with them), the great outdoors, chirping birds, running water....it's lovely, but it ...New Joy to me! - rainsmell
The simplicity of this movie is what makes it. Who makes a movie of everyday these days? It allows us to relate to the characters in a genuine way. It was also fun to see Bonnie "Prince" Billy in person and wonder how much he relates to this Old Joy character....I ...Pretty Good ...For Nothing - Big_J
I must post a review just to disagree with the others about this movie. I though this was an amaing film even if there wasn't much happening. The thing is at this point in ,y life I really related to the nothingness of the story. When you have kids and you're ...