Heard this is the greatest thing ever from numerous sources. Only one friend I know saw it and wasn't overly impressed. Dissenting opinion adds to the mystique.
Exit Through the Gift Shop is, in the end, a documentary about new types of modern art, namely graffiti. The birth of the documentary is actually pointless. A French shop owner living in LA, Thierry, decides to record everything he does. When he meets a cousin in France who is the graffiti artist Invader, he follows Invader out at night and records the graffiti process. Through Invader, Thierry meets other artists, recording their exploits. Eventually, Thierry meets Banksy, the top artist, and most reclusive. Their friendship leads to the question of what Thierry is recording. He started with no purpose, occasionally telling people he was a documentary filmmaker, but having no plan to actually make a movie. Banksy essentially guilts Thierry into making a movie, which turns out to be a 90 minute commercial. Completely unwatchable. Banksy thinks he can do better, so he tells Thierry to become an artist so Banksy can make his own movie. Thierry proceeds to become a monster of sorts. Hugely successful as an artist, but not respected by his former subjects.
I love the movie. Good characters, great footage. Banksy is a funny mofo. Though there's a chance his funny comments were written for him. The footage of graffiti being made is incredible. Thierry is a great character, made better by being a real person.
The only thing to discuss after the movie is the definition of art. It's interesting to hear the artists so critical of Thierry's work. His work isn't significantly different from their work, just the intention behind it. Does that make his work less valuable? I don't know. I wouldn't pay for any of the work in the movie. Look and admire, sure, but $400K for a sculpture of a toll booth?
Not much else to comment on. Go see it.
Documentary scale: clip quality + evenhandedness + subject interest + music + Drake Factor.
First Viewing: 3+2+3+2+3 = 13