Exit Through the Gift Shop Reviews
What is “Exit Through the Gift Shop”?
A 2010 movie.
This description is a stub. You can help by expanding it. [Click here to edit.]
Blippy is a website where people obsessively review everything they buy.
Exit Through the Gift Shop Reviews
Featured Review
“I've been on a documentary kick recently which isn't too out of the realm of normality, since I happen to love documentaries.
This may be the best of what I've seen lately... and I've watched some really good flicks this month.
Most of the best documentaries come from the unplanned and unscripted stories and events that happen organically, and in some cases, so out of the blue the director's intentions are tossed out and a new course is charted. A degree of luck is needed to pull this off; sometimes a story falls into your lap... other times you can blur the lines of facts and documentation and create a story... essentially, bringing your lap to the story.
I am not going to spoil anything about this movie, but I don't think it's saying too much that I am still pondering which kind of movie this was. How manipulated was I at the end of this film? Was I at all? Am I in on the joke, or am I the joke?
Needless to say this is a really interesting piece of cinema. It's paced well and thanks to an over abundance of footage to work with (you'll see) nothing ever feels like filler material. At the very least, there is some really spectacular (and some really terrible) street art to see here and some thoughtful commentary on the art world in general.
The enigma that is Banksy is present in the film via talking silhouette. At least, we assume it really is him.
His presence in the film carries weight and gives the film an authoritative feel. When we get to ride along and watch the mayhem unfold it really is a special treat. We are let into an insider world, a secret society of sorts. Observing the skill, process and immediacy of the creation of these pieces of art is very compelling and would be well worth your 90 minutes alone... But this film is so generous that it gives us a lot more to chew on than just that.
While exploring the whimsy, charm and importance of this anarchic style of expression, it also does not shy away from pointing out how easy it can be to mistake and misrepresent vandalism and hollow imagery as forms of important cultural statements.
Watching the film feels like watching anonymous masked people lining up a dozen 10 ft stencils on the side of a building. Slowly you see something take shape, but it's not until the end when the paint dries and the skeletal stencils are removed the whole of the documentary is revealed and takes form in a way you weren't able to fully realize while the work was in progress.”
This may be the best of what I've seen lately... and I've watched some really good flicks this month.
Most of the best documentaries come from the unplanned and unscripted stories and events that happen organically, and in some cases, so out of the blue the director's intentions are tossed out and a new course is charted. A degree of luck is needed to pull this off; sometimes a story falls into your lap... other times you can blur the lines of facts and documentation and create a story... essentially, bringing your lap to the story.
I am not going to spoil anything about this movie, but I don't think it's saying too much that I am still pondering which kind of movie this was. How manipulated was I at the end of this film? Was I at all? Am I in on the joke, or am I the joke?
Needless to say this is a really interesting piece of cinema. It's paced well and thanks to an over abundance of footage to work with (you'll see) nothing ever feels like filler material. At the very least, there is some really spectacular (and some really terrible) street art to see here and some thoughtful commentary on the art world in general.
The enigma that is Banksy is present in the film via talking silhouette. At least, we assume it really is him.
His presence in the film carries weight and gives the film an authoritative feel. When we get to ride along and watch the mayhem unfold it really is a special treat. We are let into an insider world, a secret society of sorts. Observing the skill, process and immediacy of the creation of these pieces of art is very compelling and would be well worth your 90 minutes alone... But this film is so generous that it gives us a lot more to chew on than just that.
While exploring the whimsy, charm and importance of this anarchic style of expression, it also does not shy away from pointing out how easy it can be to mistake and misrepresent vandalism and hollow imagery as forms of important cultural statements.
Watching the film feels like watching anonymous masked people lining up a dozen 10 ft stencils on the side of a building. Slowly you see something take shape, but it's not until the end when the paint dries and the skeletal stencils are removed the whole of the documentary is revealed and takes form in a way you weren't able to fully realize while the work was in progress.”
Reviewed by spacepants
Comments
beverlynoelle
I can't wait to watch this. Banksy is fascinating!
productjoy
dude ive been dying to see this doc since i saw the trailers before the movie released! i gotta order this on netflix immediately, thanks for the reminder and awesome review!
Other Reviews
“if its an elaborate piece of art from Banksy, its brilliant.
if its not its a decent documentary.”
if its not its a decent documentary.”
“Crazy movie by Banksy the street artist. Awesome documentary.”
“A banksy movie that is more about mbw. I was expecting some epic banksy but was left dissapointed. Has lots of obey which is good.”
“The intro of the movie was odd. I haven't finished this yet.”
“I thought this was pretty good. My personal thought is Banksy didn't send him to do a small show. They intentionally made that show a spectacle. Banksy / Shepard Fairey both vouched for on his show as a social experiment. They get a kick out of manipulating people. And that's what they did. Overall, I enjoyed it.”
“A revolutionary and very inclusive film about street art and an accidental monster. :)
you will love it weather you have never heard of Banksy or if you can name all these artists- it really appeals to a broad audience and takes a harsh look at pop culture.”
you will love it weather you have never heard of Banksy or if you can name all these artists- it really appeals to a broad audience and takes a harsh look at pop culture.”
“It's perpetually unclear what's fake and what's real here, and that's part of its appeal and a remarkable accomplishment. Loved it.”
“Amazing documentary.... proof that there are some extraordinary individuals out there.”
“Good documentary about the street art scene and it's various participants.”
“I loved this movie for being so ambiguous. For those of who who have seen it, try this thought experiment (not original by me): pretend the filmaker is not real, just an actor hired by Banksy. To support that, look at the final scenes of the opening for MBW's show - think about the 'people' interviewed, real? Really? Makes total sense. (PS: if you haven't seen it, what I just did was enhance your performance, trust me (or, not)).”
“This is a fantastic "documentary." The only problem is that I'm not sure if it is, in fact, a documentary. I think there is a reasonable chance that the entire thing is a setup. Who's documentary is it? Who is it actually about? Is the art world a total scam? These, and many other questions, are left open after watching "exit Through the Gift Shop." Please watch this movie and let me know what you think. You'll enjoy it.”
“absolutely loved this "documentary". it was a very funny look into street art. i am still undecided as to whether or not it was set up intentionally this way as social commentary on banksy's part or if the events portrayed actually unfolded this way. given banky's history i'm compelled to think the former. regardless i found this to be thoroughly entertaining.”
“I learned about Banksy in Art last year and HAD to watch this, it was very interesting!”
“It seemed like alot of people were freaking out about how great this movie was... I was a little interested at first but then I just got frustrated.”
629 purchases on Blippy
Tags
Genre
Director
Actor
Year
