Exit Through the Gift Shop

It wouldn't be in character for British street artist Banksy to reveal all—even in a film about his work—nor would it be legally prudent. Instead, the elusive stencil-master— the initially uncredited director of Exit Through the Gift Shop—appears with his face concealed by a hooded sweatshirt while talking to amateur documentarian Thierry Guetta. On a trip to Paris, Guetta follows his cousin “Invader” around as the latter affixes his video-game mosaics to walls throughout the city (in retrospect, Guetta says "I liked the danger"). A vintage clothing shop proprietor, Guetta decides he's found his new calling and returns to record other artists, such as Shepard Fairey, who achieved fame with his Orwellian "Obey" image (which features wrestler André the Giant), and later designed Obama's iconic "Hope" portrait. Through Fairey, Guetta meets the mysterious Banksy, capturing him in his studio, on streets and rooftops, and during preparations for his "Barely Legal" exhibit, at which Brad Pitt, Jude Law, and a painted elephant make appearances. But before long the tail appears to be wagging the dog, and things fall apart after an ill-fated trip to Disneyland, where Banksy pulls off a stunt that references Guantánamo Bay. Afterward, Banksy encourages Guetta to mount his own show as "Mr. Brainwash"—with unexpected results. Dryly narrated by Rhys Ifans, Exit Through the Gift Shop may seem as if Banksy is making fun of Guetta, but he’s mostly holding a mirror up to hipsters who'll fall for anything deemed cool, biting the publicity hand that feeds—with wit and humor. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a "lawyer's edit” version of MBW's (“Mr. Brainwash”) “Life Remote Control” documentary (15 min.), a “B Movie” segment on Banksy (14 min.), “A Star is Born” segment with MBW at Cans Festival urban art celebration (7 min.), and deleted scenes (5 min.). Bottom line: a solid extras package for an intriguing doc.] (K. Fennessy)