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Extras: Film Poster Gallery, Theatrical Trailer, 'Slitch' directed by Dianne Belino - a short comic film about a girl s summertime lust starring Will Oldham.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I've been a fan of Will Oldham (aka Bonnie Prince Billy) for sometime now, and loved his pre-music career in a film like Matewan. In recent years, he's started acting again, between the many Bonnie Prince Billy records, and has made appearances in films such as Julien Donkey Boy, Junebug, and The Guatamalan Handshake. Old Joy is one of those typically indie-alt outings that suggest Oldham approaches acting the same way he does his music career - this is resolutely indie and comes with a soundtrack from cult band Yo La Tengo, which is akin to their 'Danelelectro' release in the early zeroes (& not far from the soundtrack to The Straight Story).
Old Joy is one that you'll either love or hate, something pretty much reflected in the reviews thus far - but, c'mon, think about it - an indie feature whose biggest star is a cult singer associated with songs about death and shipwrecks concerning two guys in their 30s going to a hot spring in some hills in Oregon. You couldn't mistake this for The Bourne Identity?
Old Joy doesn't have much in the way of plot or story, which is something shared by many a fine film (Ulysses Gaze, Withnail and I, Fitzcarraldo, Dead Man, 9 Songs, Eloge de L'Amour, Last Days, Zabriskie Point)- so don't let it concern you. Oldham plays Kurt, a hippy type, who arranges to visit a hot spring with an old friend whose wife is currently pregnant. SPOILERS AHEAD...His friend (Daniel) listens to talk radio and has a dog. They drive to the spring, get lost at night, have some drinks and a chat by a fire, go to a diner ("I'll have wet toast" is my new line), find their way, walk to the spring, strip and get into it, chat some more, walk back and return home...that's it!
I found Old Joy mesmeric, like Terrence Malick films, the depiction of nature looks sublime and with the Yo La Tengo soundtrack, it all looks wonderful. I really enjoyed this film, though don't know if it will stand up on repeated viewings - I have a suspicion it will. I found it rewarding and well worth viewing, anyway...
Old Joy is one that you'll either love or hate, something pretty much reflected in the reviews thus far - but, c'mon, think about it - an indie feature whose biggest star is a cult singer associated with songs about death and shipwrecks concerning two guys in their 30s going to a hot spring in some hills in Oregon. You couldn't mistake this for The Bourne Identity?
Old Joy doesn't have much in the way of plot or story, which is something shared by many a fine film (Ulysses Gaze, Withnail and I, Fitzcarraldo, Dead Man, 9 Songs, Eloge de L'Amour, Last Days, Zabriskie Point)- so don't let it concern you. Oldham plays Kurt, a hippy type, who arranges to visit a hot spring with an old friend whose wife is currently pregnant. SPOILERS AHEAD...His friend (Daniel) listens to talk radio and has a dog. They drive to the spring, get lost at night, have some drinks and a chat by a fire, go to a diner ("I'll have wet toast" is my new line), find their way, walk to the spring, strip and get into it, chat some more, walk back and return home...that's it!
I found Old Joy mesmeric, like Terrence Malick films, the depiction of nature looks sublime and with the Yo La Tengo soundtrack, it all looks wonderful. I really enjoyed this film, though don't know if it will stand up on repeated viewings - I have a suspicion it will. I found it rewarding and well worth viewing, anyway...
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
If you're sick of overly long Hollywood blockbusters full of explosions and violence then Old Joy, the debut feature from director Kelly Reichardt, may well be the film for you.
Set in the American Midwest the film follows old friends Mark (Daniel London and Kurt (Will Oldham) as they head in to the woods for a weekend's camping.
The film deals with the relationship between the two men and how, though once close, they have grown apart as life has taken them in different directions.
The story is played out to a backdrop of greenery and wildlife as the two friends seek out a natural spring deep in the woods.
The minimal use of dialogue and plentiful shots of outdoor scenery make the film seem like a cross between a movie and a nature documentary.
This style of film making means that the gentle revelations of the change in the relationship between the two men are subtle but affecting.
A gentle, intelligent film that lets viewers join the dots to build the full picture. Brilliant.
Set in the American Midwest the film follows old friends Mark (Daniel London and Kurt (Will Oldham) as they head in to the woods for a weekend's camping.
The film deals with the relationship between the two men and how, though once close, they have grown apart as life has taken them in different directions.
The story is played out to a backdrop of greenery and wildlife as the two friends seek out a natural spring deep in the woods.
The minimal use of dialogue and plentiful shots of outdoor scenery make the film seem like a cross between a movie and a nature documentary.
This style of film making means that the gentle revelations of the change in the relationship between the two men are subtle but affecting.
A gentle, intelligent film that lets viewers join the dots to build the full picture. Brilliant.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Now maybe if I had watched this film on a different day, in a different frame of mind I would have had a very different opinion but I watched it when I felt dreamy and lazy and had a bottle of wine and a lovely person by my side. It was lush.
But nothing happens and there is the least conversation in it that I think I have ever heard in a film so don't expect much except lovely filming, the great Will Oldham, some cool tunes and a feeling of peace afterwards!
Don't judge from these reviews, you really need to see it for yourself
But nothing happens and there is the least conversation in it that I think I have ever heard in a film so don't expect much except lovely filming, the great Will Oldham, some cool tunes and a feeling of peace afterwards!
Don't judge from these reviews, you really need to see it for yourself
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
joy!
I read some of the reviews before watching and must agree nothing happens, kept on seeing points where something could have but not disappointed that it didnt. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jacky James
Underwhelming
Thought i'd try this film after seeing the directors "Wendy & Lucy" back in Feb - which had been mildly slightly diverting. Plus i liked the title: "Old Joy". Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jan Mecir
An intimate look at the end of a friendship.
Part of the new genre of ultra-low budget indie films known as 'Mumblecore', Old Joy follows two old college friends Mark and Kurt, who after many years apart reunite for a weekend... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Ernie
Calming, interesting
I can't think of another recent film that has commented on class, political and social issues in such a simplistic and personal way. Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2009 by Sidney Carton
2 Friends 1 Forest
Two people reunite in hope of reforging their friendship, until it becomes apparant, they have grown their spereate ways. Read more
Published on 15 Jun 2008 by CJT
Just because it is different, does not mean it is good
This is a film about 2 men who have known each other since their student days; one is married and his wife is expecting their first child, whilst the other man seems to have led a... Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2008 by Balraj Gill
DULL DULL DULL
This is the first time I have been 'moved' to write a review. Give it another 10 minutes is what I kept saying hoping for a storyline other than 'admire the scenery' or 'appreciate... Read more
Published on 13 July 2007 by Vicki
The jouissance of strolling
Critics will often condemn a film by arguing that there is not much of a plot, that the film lacks structure. Read more
Published on 26 May 2007 by Alan Fair
Why did they bother?
I'm not sure why anyone bothered to make something so dull - still, at least it was only 80 minutes long...
Published on 27 April 2007 by LindsayM
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