Exit Through the Gift Shop

This movie is not informative, it contains only general information

This documentary takes you on a journey unexpected. Will leave you debating art and how we perceive its value. Well worth the rent!

My wife and I heard about Banksy some time ago and were actually anxious just to learn more about his craft and talent. Akin to the main theme of the movie, after watching Exit Through the Gift Shop I think we got what we were looking for, but not quite in the way we expected.The movie is divided pretty fairly into three equally entertaining sections. The first third introduces the protagonist, Thierry, and sets the background for his obsession with street artists. The middle portion of the movie introduces Banksy and follows the growth of his relationship with Thierry. The final act features Thierry almost exclusively, and while I was sure I knew where the film was going to end up, I found myself anxiously awaiting confirmation (incidentally, I couldn't have been more wrong).My favorite thing about this excellent film is the conversations it begets once the credits have rolled. Questions are raised about each of the film's featured artists and the art world in general that may not have clear answers, but are entertaining to discuss nonetheless. I appreciated that the film was willing to acknowledge that it didn't have the answers either, especially considering how difficult it must have been to not pretend otherwise.My wife and I may not agree about exactly what happened at the end of the film or why, but I think we can both agree on one thing after viewing: Banksy is much, much more talented than either of us originally thought (and we thought pretty highly of him before).

This movie asks the age old question "What is art?" --the way only Banksy would ask it. It's both a satire disguised as a documentary and vice versa, which both celebrates street art and makes fun of it at the same time. Even now as media outlets post Banksy artwork sightings and Sothby's sell Banksy artworks for north of million Euros, the hype is profound and profitable. Just look at the Amazon rating and the selling price of this DVD/HD Blue-Ray. (You can watch this for free with Amazon Prime).I like Bansky's artwork because it makes me stop and think. He alters paintings like turns a scenic depiction of a country side by adding a park bench and Nazi or paints a idyllic view of paradise through the side of the West Bank wall. Banksy loves making subversive statements. As you watch this, you may slowly realize you are not watching a documentary but a mockumentary.What you see is not what you think! If there a morale to the story, it is probably the that "Emperor has new clothes."

Loved this film. Then made my kids watch it. They loved it too. We had some great chats after. I live that it made us all think, not just about art but about the challenges of authenticity, integrity, originality and commerciality. Also it’s just a really good way to learn about the street art movement and to celebrate raw creativity. Loved the twists and turns. Yep. Definitely could watch it many times.

Much like the elusive UK graphitti artist himself this super documentary, loosely focused on 'street art' is hard to catch. I missed it for a very brief arthoise run in New Orleans theaters and now it is already listed ad out-of-stock on Amazon. I feared this limit release and preordered, don't give up, keep checking here for it, it is worth it. I'd highly recommend it, although it is on instant in Netflix independent genres I'd further recommend getting the DvD like we did, because it comes with Banksy decals & postcards also in the extras: the original movie the French "film-maker" (who is the film's real focus ) made before Banksy concludes the Frenchman may be mentally ill & made his own movie. Tje film's footage contains behind the scenes of actual street outtings with Banksy, Invader even Shepard Fairey ( the real force whether it be tounge-cheek, behind much of Obama's underground success as a presidential contender). Amazing studio footage and bits you may have seen on YouTube and wondered "where and how did they get this?"...somewhat explained before Banksy turns tables and makes his own movie while making his own monster, turninga quirky wouldbe movie maker into a street art sensation M.B.W. I can't recommend this movie enough....get one ...OBEY.

Excellent documentary that begins with a certain whimsy but ends with some deep questions about what is art, what makes an artist, the gullibility of contemporary collectors and the idea that it is great art because someone says it is. It is about fringe artists selling out, and the territorial aspects of a "new idea".

I know there is a lot of controversy surrounding this movie whether it is true or not, but leaving that out of the review this is a great movie either way. I have always been a huge Banksy fan so I went and saw this movie in the theaters when it came to the states, it is a really great story, regardless of if it is true or not. The movie shows off how talented street artists are, I haven't got a chance to watch all of the special features but there is a short documentary just about Banksy that I got a chance to watch and it is really great. In the dvd case (which looks like a piece of artwork in itself) you get two postcards that are Banksy artworks, a pair of star glasses and a sticker, all this alone makes the movie worth the purchase. This is a must own movie for any fan of street art, documentaries, or movies in general.

This is a brilliantly and purposely misleading documentary. At first you think it's the celebration of another new self-made post-modern artist.It will tell you about his tireless enthusiasm, which made him follow an idea, a passion, just to turn himself into an artist and accomplish his ambition. Just like many other part-time artists the world is full of.And you will hear from Banksy himself about this guy, and see how relentlessly he put his past life aside and focused on his dream.And how people found out about him and hurried to his exhibitions. Ad the success, and the almost stubborn and dictatorial attitude of his to make his dream come true.Ignoring what people thinks, ignoring the rules, ignoring the difference between being an artist and willing to be one.And, believe me, you will find out this documentary is much more complex and less celebratory than you expected. It plays with clichè and consolidated expectations (everyone can be an artist) just to tell you another story.

Love this film! Is it documentary, art fraud, mockumentary, a work of performance art in its own right, the record of the emergence of this new style of art form? None of the above? All of the above? A journey to the centre of a man's troubled psyche and the revelation of his unconscious through his own art? The film is comedic, touching, honest, intellectual yet wholey accessible. It poses more questions than it answers, educates, informs and inspires. Thierry's journey wants you to rush to your computer, download and Photoshop iconic images, have them enlarged and duplicated and hurl oneself headlong to the nearest empty public wall in the dead of night with accomplisses armed with your stencils and spray cans as an act of public minded generosity, civil disobedience, blind vandalism and general rebellion against the State, power, authority and the banality of modern life!

Fascinating film. I was skeptical about how much I would enjoy this going in, but I ended up really liking it to a huge extent. Absolutely fascinating from an outsider standpoint, and falls in the too good to be true section of the documentary stories (like the one about the video game, pac man guys.) It definitely feels like a huge practical joke, and knowing what little I know about Banksy from the film and from what I've read about him previous to watching the film, it definitely seemed like something he would do. Overall the documentary is superbly entertaining from a pure enjoyment standpoint, it's at times hysterical, and thematically mind-bending, thoughtful, and intriguing look at what is the real definition of art. Fantastic!

I don't know much about modern art, Banksy...or any art to be honest, but the other half does and we watched this. The film isn't so much as a documentary about Banksy but more the street art movement and in particular one strange individual with the moniker MBW. I laughed out loud more than once when Banksy was 'critiquing' his work - he has a wicked sense of humour. As for MBW...well, you can make up your own mind, but he is certainly one unique individual.

I had no idea what to expect of this film. I knew nothing about it. I've seen some of Banksy's work and I really liked it, but I'm a casual observer and certainly no expert. This film was a revelation for me. I watched as the story unfolded and gasped at bits and laughed at others. I was fully immersed and only started to question towards the end that perhaps I'd interpreted things too literally. There may have been clues or indications, massive great ones in fact, but if truth be told, I was having too much fun laughing. I still can't quite believe what I've seen. Did it all really happen like that? I love it all the more for this reason. I've possibly been entertained more than educated, but hey, what difference does that make.