Some documentaries with extraordinary footage/subject matter come under fire and cause people to ask whether they're real or bogus. Exit Through the Gift Shop, allegedly directed by the rarely (if ever) photographed underground street artist Banksy, is no exception. But what separates 'Gift Shop' from similar fare, is that the sheer enjoyment factor wouldn't be ruined by the revelation that it was all faked. The film traces the paths of Banksy and amateur videographer Thierry Guetta. After Guetta becomes drawn into the world of underground street art, he makes it his mission to record the activities of the underground art world's biggest names. But his dream target, despite working with the likes of Shepherd Fairey (the now ubiquitous Obama-Hope poster), is the ever-elusive British artist Banksy. By a series of (planned?) coincindences, Banksy and Guetta become acquainted, and what starts off as a tale of artist and documentarian becomes turned on its head as Guetta blossoms in his own strange way. It's all handled with good pacing, and engaging looks at the creation of the stencil and paint-based art, and it can even be very funny at times. However, if you're looking for an in-depth look at the meaning of this sort of art, or people's deeper motivations for doing it, you might be left wanting; this isn't about the underground art world, but rather a look at how two men's relationship drastically changes the ambitions of one of the pair. Maybe somewhere in some dark alley with a spray can and stencil outline in hand, Banksy is having a laugh at all of us, but I frankly don't give a damn. His "documentary" is an extremely engaging, well put together tale of illegal art, obsession, and delusion.
Grade: B/B+
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