Review of Old Joy (2006) by Jennifer M — 29 Sep 2009

This movie is difficult to describe. it's not for everyone. if you are familiar with reichardt's work, you know what to expect, and you will love this.

Kurt and marc are two old friends who have not seen each other in quite some time. whereas kurt is still milling about doing the same things -- caught in a sort of perpetual post-college restless state, marc has settled down, gotten married, has a good job, and has a child on the way. they head off on a weekend of camping and reconnecting. there is no action, no inciting actions, or blatant epiphanies. it plays more like a slice of life. and it's powerful stuff if you surrender to it. it's also quite beautiful to look at, and features a moving score by yo la tengo.

The film's dialogue is sparse. there are long takes where nothing is said. the two actors (oldham and london) say a lot, however, with their expressions, and their body language. the film is open to a lot of interpretation, but for me, I felt this was a meditation on a point in our lives when we realize that nothing will be the same again. that our relation to other people has been changed by the shifts in our respective existences. we are all pulled in different directions. it is a point of melancholy fear -- longing for the freewheeling days where not much was at stake, and fearing that we might not be prepared to tackle the responsibilities of adult life and all that goes along with it -- careers, children, marriage. it is about that point when you realize that some people you love may never quite make it there, and have perhaps seen their best days.

I can't believe the box actually had some copy that referred to this as 'far more than a lo-fi indie riff on Brokeback Mountain'.

I guess they'll do anything to get people to rent a movie.