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      Old Joy

      Released Jan 20, 2006 1 hr. 16 min. Drama List
      85% 94 Reviews Tomatometer 71% 5,000+ Ratings Audience Score Soon to be a father, Mark (Daniel London) feels the pressure of domestic responsibility closing in, so he is more than happy to accept when his old friend Kurt (Will Oldham) proposes a camping trip in the Oregon wilderness. During their time together, the men come to grips with the changes in their lives and the effect on their relationship. Read More Read Less

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      Critics Consensus

      A serene, melancholy beauty permeates this meditative portrait of deep friendship and faded glory.

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      Audience Reviews

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      StephenPaul C The greatest 01 hour: and 16 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!! Featuring a cross-country trek across the United States of America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/26/23 Full Review Ravenswood R More is implied than shown or told. Two late-twenties age guys who were closer friends when younger and seemingly have not spent much time together recently get together and don't have much to talk about. Exciting? No. Interesting? Yes. A straightforward look at an aspect of real life that we all go through at that age. True to life, and basically an objective look at one of life's many forks in the road. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/28/23 Full Review isla s This is a sort of a contemplative nature retreat film (rather than a road trip film), focussing on two male friends being somewhat philosophical while taking in the countryside. Its another light and subtle film by Kelly Reichardt and I thought it was quite relaxing to watch, with the sounds of nature in the background (waterfalls, birds etc.). It has an aimlessness about it which I found quite pleasing, so I don't mean that in a bad way. For example, I liked the camerawork showing the sort of 'open (country and urban) road' driving the men do near the start and end of the film. Its got a soothing quality to it. Its also got some melodic instrumental music played quietly at times. The plot did seem a little weak and its perhaps not entirely memorable but its certainly worth seeing regardless, I'd say. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Apollo M When calm meets friendship. It doesn't get any simpler than that. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/06/22 Full Review Audience Member A very cathartic watch for me. Few films have ever caused me to introspect and look at myself & my friendships but man, did this one do it. And it hit me hard. In lifes terms, you are either a Mark or a Kurt, i.e. one friend who has finally matured versus another friend who is still living the same life a decade later. We all grow up, it just depends when we finally do. Old Joy is as simple as that. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/02/22 Full Review william k Solemn, almost meditative road movie follows intimately the wanderings and semi-improvised conversations of two buddies,as if accidentally creating a study of true friendship. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critical Consensus: "Jackass" Kicks; "King" Is Dethroned; "Fearless" Is Action-Packed; "Flyboys" Is Grounded Critical Consensus: "Invincible," "Worms" Score; "Idlewild," "Beerfest" Mixed

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      Critics Reviews

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      Steve Murray Atlanta Journal-Constitution Old Joy may be built around a road trip, but it's also a movie about two roads -- and two souls -- diverging. Rated: B Mar 15, 2007 Full Review Robert Denerstein Denver Rocky Mountain News You may find yourself asking whether anything's going to happen. But for those who can tolerate a slow-brewing movie, [director] Reichardt's work provides sufficient rewards. Rated: B Mar 9, 2007 Full Review Lisa Kennedy Denver Post Subdued, artistic, with beautifully nuanced performances that are as true as they are often elusive of commercial triumph. Rated: 3/4 Mar 9, 2007 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review It's an achingly sensitive film about two men quietly suffering in their own way, yet each of them struggles to acknowledge the full extent of their yearning. Rated: 4/4 Feb 22, 2022 Full Review Piers Marchant Arkansas Democrat-Gazette There are a lot of turning wheels and delicately moving dial adjustments going on underneath the frontal action creating a finely tuned, impressively understated narrative. Nov 13, 2020 Full Review David Harris Spectrum Culture More than just an investigation of a friendship past its expiration date, Old Joy is a quiet study of masculinity. Sep 8, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Soon to be a father, Mark (Daniel London) feels the pressure of domestic responsibility closing in, so he is more than happy to accept when his old friend Kurt (Will Oldham) proposes a camping trip in the Oregon wilderness. During their time together, the men come to grips with the changes in their lives and the effect on their relationship.
      Director
      Kelly Reichardt
      Executive Producer
      Joshua Blum, Todd Haynes, Mike S. Ryan, Rajen Savjani
      Screenwriter
      Kelly Reichardt, Jonathan Raymond
      Production Co
      Film Science, Washingston Square Films, Van Hoy/Knudsen Productions
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jan 20, 2006, Original
      Release Date (DVD)
      May 1, 2007
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $255.4K
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