Name:  Exit Through the Gift Shop

Type:  documentary

Netflix Synopsis:  Filmmaker Thierry Guetta had been casually documenting the underground world of street art for years, but when he encounters Banksy, an elusive British stencil artist, his project takes a fascinating twist.  Unimpressed with Guetta's footage, Banksy takes over filmmaking duties and Guetta reinvents himself as a street artist named Mr. Brainwash--and, much to Banksy's surprise, immediately becomes a darling of the Los Angeles art scene.

What I Thought:  Going into the documentary I had expected it to be about Banksy.  I should have known better.  If there was a movie about Banksy and people got a real inside look at what he does, he would no longer be the appealing enigma that he has become.  Once I figured this out and was introduced to Thierry, the film became a whole lot less appealing.  Thierry is slightly interesting--but more annoying than anything else.  The entire documentary follows the train wreck that is Thierry's life.  It goes from family man, to obsessive compulsive "filmmaker", to stalker, to failed filmmaker, then it ends with Thierry "art show."  I found it funny how everyone talks fondly about Thierry in the beginning then by the end they all hate him.  This is not a documentary on street art, rather it's about a man blinded by fame and the evolution of his relationships.  Oh, and there's some pretty good footage of the street art that is amazing.

Rating:   / 5