Old Joy - 2006 - Kelly Reichardt

Two old friends, Mark (Daniel London) and Kurt (Will Oldham), go on a weekend trip out to a hot spring in the mountains outside of Portland, Oregon. Mark lives with his pregnant wife and dog outside of the city, while Kurt is single and living in the city. The guys get lost on the way and have to camp out for a night before they find the spring. The next mourning they stop at a restaurant, find a map and head out. After spending the day at the hot spring, they go home.

There is not a lot going on in Old Joy. With only three main characters, one of which is a dog, you do not get a lot of action or even much dialogue. Mark and Kurt have clearly been friends for a long time and they have grown apart. Kurt still smokes marijuana and talks of strange metaphysical ideas that thinks will lead to some kind of truth, while Mark is married with a kid on the way living a pretty normal life. Both men see things that they envy in one another. Mark would like the freedom that comes with no responsibilities and Kurt sees that there are benefits to growing up. I believe that the Old Joy to which the tittle refers is that of a close friendships that has faded away over time. At the end of the film we see Kurt wondering the streets of Portland with no specific purpose. It is not stated that this is the last time the two will see each other, but that is the impression that is given.

One element of the film that did not seem necessary, or helpful, was the clips of left wing talk radio that we hear when Mark is driving. It may add to the authenticity of the atmosphere in Portland or it could be seen as a way to force some political beliefs into the film.
7/10