Exit Through the Gift Shop

EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP (2010) - Feb. 26, 2011
A really enjoyable documentary about eccentric Frenchman Thierry Guetta (a.k.a. Mr. Brainwash) who, filming everything all the time, starts following around street artists, obstensively making a documentary about them as he goes.  Eventually, he befriends legendary street artist Banksy, who encourages him to actually make the doc (which he had no intention to actually do).  His film turns out almost hilariously unwatchable, so Banksy encourages him to make his own street art (with the intention of making a street art film himself out of Thierry's voluminous footage).  This backfires when Theirry, with no discernable style of his own, ends up commercializing and essentially making a mockery out of the whole street art scene.  I really enjoyed this film.  There's been some hubaloo about this potentially being not entirely real, which I wouldn't be surprised by -- the whole thing makes for such a entertaining story, with Theirry as such a compellingly odd protagonist, that it all almost seems too perfect to be true.  Either way, it's a really well made and enjoyable film.  ***1/2