Reviews now on YouTube! | Watch here

Larsen On Film

  • Review Library
  • Subscribe
  • Why I’m Wrong
  • About
  • Books

Old Joy

A patient, observant mood piece, Old Joy put director Kelly Reichardt on the map, instantly making her a critical darling. Two longtime friends (Daniel London and Will Oldham) embark on an impromptu camping trip, an experience that only delineates the fault lines that adulthood has opened between them. (London’s Mark is married, employed and expecting his first child; Oldham’s Kurt is a neo-hippie vagabond who audits physics classes.) Reichardt captures the little nuances of male friendship – especially the way silence speaks volumes – but Old Joy also overplays the vague card, especially in its last 15 minutes. Issues of politics and sexuality are hinted at here and there, then set adrift in a hazy indie ether.

Recent Reviews

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

Drama Rated R

“It’s McMurphy versus Ratched, but it might as well be Life versus Death.”

The Bad Guys 2 (2025)

Family Rated PG

“… limp jokes around the edges involve a Musk/Bezos billionaire figure and random cultural stereotypes.”

Terms of Endearment (1983)

Drama Rated PG

“Winger gives us someone incredibly unique and specific…”


Search Review Library

Sponsored by the following | become a sponsor



SUBSCRIBE


Sign up to receive emails

Sign up to get new reviews and updates delivered to your inbox!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!




FOLLOW ONLINE



All rights reserved. All Content ©2024 J. Larsen
maintained by Big Ocean Studios

TOP