Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)

Powerful

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Don't listen to the negative reviews

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Exit Through The Gift Shop breaks the mold. It blows all other movie-docs out of the water. The creators treated it not only as a documentary but also as a work of art. It raises many questions about the commercialization of art.Even when you think you've figured this out, you can't shake the notion that maybe you haven't. Right when you start to think that it's slowing down, it picks up again. It's totally excellent at many levels and should have won the Oscar it was nominated for.The movie takes a sideways look at Banksy and the explosion of street artists in LA. It's a hilarious look at the stupidity of art worshipers and a very interesting study into the modern art world and what exactly "art" is. As entertainment, the movie works very well. No director or screenwriters are listed in movie's credits, just the words "A Banksy Film". Banksy is a big deal in the art world.. He's a whip-smart British street artist who became world famous without giving up his true identity. I consider him as a personal hero. Rhys Ifans is a great narrator, his calm voice makes for an awesome delivery. This movie deserves multiple viewings. This is the only movie you need to see about street art. Even if you don't give a damn about street art, see it

In 1999, a man with a camera discovered that a cousin of his was a noteworthy member of a growing movement that would shake the art world to its foundation, make us question what art is and see the world of art change in as radical a way as Warhol and Picasso. He'd document these formative years for almost a decade, becoming the unofficial scribe for the next big wave in art.Unfortunately, he was a bit of a nutter.A film that shows that, indeed, destiny seems to snatch people and play merry hell with them, Exit Through The Gift Shop is obstinately a film about the (in)famous street artist Banksy, known for his striking counter-culture style. It has even been called a case of the documented turning the camera around on the filmmaker. But none of these can truly describe the surreal experience that this documentary becomes. The best I can do is to say that the film is about a man by the name of Thierry Guetta, who through chance and circumstance, becomes the man who captures on film the birth of a movement, is swallowed up by it and then--perhaps quite accidentally--hijacks it for himself.Thierry was on vacation in his native France in 1999, when he discovered that his cousin just happens to be the street artist "Invader", one of a number of people at the forefront of the provocative and thought-provoking street art movement of the late 90's and early to mid-aughts. Thierry also happened to have a compulsion to film every aspect of his every day life. From there, Thierry finds himself becoming part of that movement. Be it a desire to be a part of it, or simply piggybacking on the fame of others, Thierry became the cameraman for a number of street artists. Eventually, his desire to film street artists at work reached its zenith: he wanted to film Banksy.Banksy, who to this day keeps his identity a secret, is the most recognizable name in the street art movement. Indeed, his name is a by-word for the art form in the same way that Picasso is a by-word for cubism. Be it fate, coincidence or sheer chance, Thierry and Banksy's paths crossed, and Banksy found himself under Thierry's lens. As time went on, Banksy confides in Thierry, opening up to him and his camera a part of his world that many have since wished they could have been a part of. But through innocent encouragement, Banksy and his comrades in the street art movement find themselves creating a monster, as Thierry puts his camera down and picks up a stencil and the moniker "Mr. Brainwash."Whereas most documentaries are thought-provoking, or moving, or fill us with a sense of wonder, "Exit Through The Gift Shop" is a laugh riot. We are treated to watch as hapless street artists who invited Thierry into their reclusive world find themselves caught in the riptide that is the almost demented whim of their cameraman. While it shows the birth of the street art movement in fascinating detail, the true focus of the documentary throughout is the man behind the camera. The closest one can come to a comparison is if "Grey Gardens" suddenly had the Maysles put their cameras down and become residents of the dilapidated mansion themselves. We watch the steady transition of a man from an observer to an active participant, laughing and cringing the entire way. One has to admire the sheer enthusiasm that Thierry approaches his newfound subject of obsession, which leaves even the men who began the art movement baffled. The entire time, the man behind street art's most recognizable images displays the wit he's most famous for, giving the film an air of satire that makes it simply surreal.Do yourself a favor. Sit back and watch this documentary with slack-jawed wide-eyed awe. It's an experience that anyone with even a basic interest in street art, documentary filmmaking and, hell, life in general should experience.

By far my most favorite documentary. I probably saw it 10 times already and every of my friends who haven't, I force to watch it with me.This movie gives a perfect view behind the artist and art scene, not only regarding street art but in general. It shows what it needs to be a successful artist today and how art gets commercialized through media and crazy people who only want to be 'in' and therefore try to follow the crowds as much in front as possible.It also shows how much real artists suffer under the hype they unchain themselves because people need heroes and so put the artist on top of their art, while the real artist wants his art to be recognized but not himself.Who wants to get a picture of the different personalities artists can have, this is an excellent example as well. While some want to stay in the shadow, others are narcissists and feel well in the spot lights. But at the end the audience may understand that the guys in the spot lights are the great pretenders (as was Andy Warhol for example), while the real artists prefer to stay unknown (as Banksy).However - since I saw this movie the first time, I changed the way to walk through a city, opening my eyes and finding many interesting things I would have simply overlooked before. So I can say - this movie brought some new value into my life - Thank you guys!!

I don't know if there is any definitive proof out there to suggest that this in fact a "mockumentary" or a "prankumentary", or whatever else it has been coined by critics for that matter - but - hoax or not, I thought it was well worth the watch! I personally believe it is fake. Straight from the off I began to to question aspects of the story; the validity of the storyline, the authenticity of the characters, and in particular, who was doing the filming when it was the film-maker in shot!? Anyway, that aside, Banksy does make a pretty convincing movie, and after surfing the web for just a few minutes, my findings have proved that many (dupes?) still firmly believe the material is 100% authentic.For me, this takes little away from my enjoyment in watching the film. Towards the end, I did feel a little cheated, as documentaries have traditionally been based on reality, and therefore a non fiction documentary does seem a little pointless. But like I said before, it is still worth watching.Admiring the many pieces of street art, alone, make the film worth a watch for me. Don't expect to be blown away, because this after all is just a documentary, (and lets face it, no documentaries are that exciting!) but it certainly does enough to maintain my interest throughout.I doubt this is ever going to exist as somebody's 'favourite movie ever', I think I can say that with conviction, however, it is one of those films that I recommend you watch - If only once.