#1008: REICHARDT, Kelly: Old Joy (2006)
REICHARDT, Kelly (United States)
Old Joy [2006]
Spine #1008
Blu-ray
The Booklet
Forty-four page booklet featuring an essay by film critic Ed Halter and the short story by Raymond on which the film is based.
Old Joy [2006]
Spine #1008
Blu-ray
Two old friends reunite for a quietly revelatory overnight camping trip in this breakout feature from Kelly Reichardt, a microbudget study of character and masculinity that introduced many viewers to one of contemporary American cinema's most independent artists. As expectant father Mark (Daniel London) and nomadic Kurt (Will Oldham) travel by car and foot into the woods in search of some secluded hot springs, their fumbling attempts to reconnect keep butting up against the limits of their friendship and the reality of how much their paths have diverged since their shared youth. Adapted from a short story by Jonathan Raymond and accompanied by an atmospheric Yo La Tengo score, Old Joy is a contemplative, wryly observed triumph whose modest scale belies the richness of its insight.
73 minutes
Color
Stereo
1:78:1 aspect ratio
Stereo
1:78:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2019
Director/Writers
Based on a story by Jonathan Raymond.
Screenplay by Raymond and Kelly Reichardt.
Reichardt was 42 when she directed Old Joy.
Other films by Reichardt in the Collection:
Other films by Reichardt in the Collection:
#893: Certain Women (2016)
The Film
The Film
Let's talk about Lucy.
She's a natural actor. Her every movement seems to come from some deep place of soulful understanding. She connects with the camera in the most intimate ways. The two male actors interact with her beautifully -- and she still steals every scene.
Lucy is a dog.
**
So goes Kelly Reichhardt's 2006 Old Joy, resonating with the Bush-era references (Mark [Daniel London] listens to angry, partisan-bickering left-wing Air America radio in his car when Kurt’s [Will Oldham] not around) where everything seemed tense and out of place — especially when these two characters from the Time of Hippydom reuinite for an impromptu camping trip in the green, verdant Cascade mountains.
Lucy’s not the only untrained actor — Reichardt loves to shoot non-humans: the very first shot is a bird (later, a bluejay is espied through a thicket of unfocused green leaves).
The trip home features a dark screen, lit up by pinpoints of light from the outskirts, until they reach the city and the bright lights of a gas station pump up the screen energy.
Special commendation to Yo la Tengo’s score, which is right on point at just the right moments.
The film industry is bizarre. Studios spend hundreds of millions of dollars on crap that might tank by Monday; while Reichardt makes a film like this for — what? — probably less than $100,000 …
It deserves its praise.
Film Rating (0-60):
55
The ExtrasThe Booklet
Forty-four page booklet featuring an essay by film critic Ed Halter and the short story by Raymond on which the film is based.
Halter’s essay is good, but the decision to put the Raymond short story in the booklet was decidedly excellent! It’s a great story — and gives the viewer the chance to see what Reichardt chose to use and what she chose not to use!
The discussion/argument about the homoeroticism is pretty silly.
Commentary
None.
Interviews
None.
Interviews
With Reichardt, cinematographer Peter Sillen and author Raymond.
Sillen gets technical, which is great because who doesn’t like learning about cinematography? Raymond is humble.
Conversation
Sillen gets technical, which is great because who doesn’t like learning about cinematography? Raymond is humble.
Conversation
Between actors London and Oldham.
Two actors who look back fondly on a shoestring budget shoot which turned out better than anyone might have expected.
Extras Rating (0-40):
Extras Rating (0-40):
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