Old Joy, Night Moves

For such an exquisitely quiet and modest film, Reichardt’s “comeback” second feature, Old Joy, sent shockwaves of enthusiasm throughout the independent film world. Two old friends (perfectly played by Daniel London and musician Will Oldham) who haven’t kept in touch try to rekindle their friendship by heading to natural hot springs outside of Portland, Oregon. As the distance grows between them, the natural environment looms larger, and Reichardt skillfully situates their story within a particular moment in American history. With a soundtrack by Yo La Tengo. (76 mins., 35mm)

The noir-ish thriller Night Moves is the closest Reichardt has come to making a genre picture, though the film is still full of the political and personal nuance that she’s best known for. Working at an agricultural co-op in southern Oregon, Josh (Jesse Eisenberg, in a strong, inward performance) recruits a rich dropout (Dakota Fanning) and an ex-Marine (Peter Sarsgaard) into an act of ecoterrorism to protest the corporate destruction of the local environment. As the trio meticulously plans their (own) act of destruction, the film astutely observes both the appeal and danger of their idealism. With James Le Gros, Alia Shawkat, and Katherine Waterston. (112 mins., DCP)