Fascinating film. For so many reasons.
First of all, it's so rare and unusual there was actually any filmed documentation of the street art movement to begin with. A total fluke. And then, not to be a spoiler here, but then, there's an interesting twist to the film regarding the true narrative of the film.
Don't want to give too much away, but when you do see it - listen closely to the narrator for clues to the film's ultimate vision. (I wished they'd found a less dopey voice for this role, unless it's supposed to sound that pretentious and dopey so that we never really do trust it.)
But, this film was so fascinating because I was introduced to street art, and the people who were the driving force behind that art such as the quirky, mad Thierry Guetta, Invader, Borf, Cheez, Shephard Fairey -- and of course the prolific, witty, political and astonishing Banksy. So it was terrific to be entertained by this film while being introduced to that form of artistic expression. But, "Mr. Brain Wash?" (Thierry Guetta) -- Uhm. Not so.
Any legitimate artist has to be stunned by how much hype and commodity in "art" seems to go hand in hand. It's absurd. Whatever starts out fresh and interesting seems to just get churned into the equivalent of collectible baseball cards, and it all seems to lose meaning. Well, at least, it seems that way in this film.
Trying not to give too much away -- but since the movie is about illusion. And how to control people using visual art -- one has to question what or who the movie's really about. Is it all an elaborate prank? Is it what it says it is? Hard to say from what we've seen. But, it's fascinating.
Now I want to learn so much more about Bansky -- I thought the part where he went to one of the world's most famous walls (left bank) was AMAZING. In fact, here's a link to his work he did in Gaza, because what few images they included in "Exit Through the Gift Shop" just blew me away. You have to see this.But, the film is also a cautionary tale for anyone who wants to contribute something to the world creatively. Be it, visual art or, say, writing now that blogging (--clears throat--) has burst into the mainstream world of writing.
Are all of us just slightly mentally unbalanced people with a video cameras? Who can only, at best, take what's already been said and done and copy that into slightly less original forms? Or do any of us really have something unique and thought-provoking to offer?
Truthfully, I'd rather die a million deaths to be thought of as "Mr. Brain Wash." If, indeed, there is a MBW. Perhaps he only existed in the minds of those lining up to see his art show in LA.
BTW: How do others feel about the rights of others to vandalize any surface anyone chooses to all in the name of "art?" I kind of think that's problematic.
I'd freak if someone painted/plastered OBEY all over something precious or valuable to me or if someone painted dumb faces with red spray paint on a lovely 16th century brick wall, say, somewhere in Paris.
But, perhaps all art does have an equal right to exist anywhere? | 
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