Old Joy (2006)

Director:

Kelly Reichardt

Writers:

Jonathan Raymond (writer)
Kelly Reichardt (writer)

Release Date:

26 January 2007 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Two old pals reunite for a camping trip in Oregon's Cascade Mountains. |

Plot Keywords:

Oregon | Dog | Guilt | Bird | Diner

Awards:

4 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Daniel London	...	Mark
Will Oldham	...	Kurt
Tanya Smith	...	Tanya
Robin Rosenberg	...	Waitress
Keri Moran	...	Lawnmower
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Autumn Campbell	...	Diner Patron
Steve Doughton	...	Diner Patron
Lucy	...	Herself
Matt McCormick	...	Weed Salesman
Darren Prolsen	...	Homeless Man
Jillian Wieseneck	...	Diner Patron

Runtime:

USA:76 min | UK:73 min | Argentina:76 min (Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:15 | Australia:M | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Bagby Hot Springs, Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon, USA

Company:

Film Science

Trivia:

The small New York distributor Kino International spent roughly $40,000 to transfer the film from 16 mm to 35 mm; $24,000 on 22 prints; $6,500 on 200 trailers; $4,000 on 50,000 postcards and about $3,000 on Web advertisements.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: Early in the film, they are on Hwy 30 near the St. Johns Bridge, driving in the direction of Astoria, which is AWAY from the hot springs they are going to. Then suddenly, inexplicably, they're in Colton, and heading towards the hot springs.

Quotes:

Kurt: Sorrow is nothing but worn out joy.

Movie Connections:

References Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)

Relax, It's Only a Movie

When was the last time you relaxed at a movie? That's not the same as saying you relaxed WITH a movie, but that the movie itself relaxed you. A simple and subtle difference in tune with this simple and subtle film where the small touches and gentle silences speak more than any plotting or dialog.

OLD JOY is a true anomaly in today's market. During the heyday of the Studio era, it wasn't unusual to see films that were as short as OLD JOY's 76 minutes, in fact, they were often shorter. Today, only a few animated films and truncated/butchered films are ever this short.

In a way, all of the effusive praise the film has gotten can be counter-productive in that expectations are elevated, and audiences may expect something more heavily plotted or profound. Based on a short story, this is a sort of short feature. In literature, the short form has its own limitations and virtues that they don't necessarily share with novels. Film is more tangible, and OLD JOY can be experienced as a slice of life - a moment in time (here for a couple of friends). We are simply asked to observe and (hopefully) reflect on the road trip we witness.

The length of the film is only the most obvious and measurable way in which OLD JOY separates it from the stream of American film, but, it is the natural grace and will to not strain for effect that truly marks it as different. Just sit back and relax.

I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if you could somehow "force" an audience who think they are about to see JACKASS or the latest Slasher film to watch OLD JOY instead (hopefully, not having to resort to CLOCKWORK ORANGE type tactics!).