Exit Through The Gift Shop (2010)

96% of critics liked it
(104 reviews)
91% of users liked it
(19,046 ratings)

Exit Through the Gift Shop marks the feature-film debut of notorious street artist Banksy. The documentary's focus is French-born L.A. thrift-shop owner Thierry Guetta, whose apparent compulsion to videotape every moment of his life led him to document the phenomenon of contemporary street art.… More Exit Through the Gift Shop marks the feature-film debut of notorious street artist Banksy. The documentary's focus is French-born L.A. thrift-shop owner Thierry Guetta, whose apparent compulsion to videotape every moment of his life led him to document the phenomenon of contemporary street art. Guetta's cousin, a street artist known as Space Invader, allowed the avid cameraman to tape him as he illegally spread his artwork, and Space Invader also introduced him to other street artists, whose work Guetta captured on tape. Eventually, Guetta hooked up with Shepard Fairey, who was best known (before he created an iconic Barack Obama campaign poster) for his widespread stickers featuring an image of the late wrestler Andre the Giant over the word "OBEY." Guetta soon hears about the mysterious street artist/prankster Banksy, and becomes obsessed with finding him and videotaping his exploits. Thanks to Guettta's growing reputation among street artists, the two eventually meet and form a sort of partnership. Guetta even videotapes Banksy's infamous "Gitmo" prank at Disneyland, wherein a handcuffed, hooded figure in an orange jumpsuit is placed beside one of the rides. They get along quite well until Banksy suggests that Guetta stop shooting, take the countless hours of footage he's accumulated, and start assembling them into a documentary. Banksy eventually takes over the documentary project, and inadvertently pushes Guetta's creative energy in a new direction, as Guetta becomes a kind of street artist himself, with shocking results. Exit Through the Gift Shop, narrated by Rhys Ifans, had its world premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. While it was very well received, there was much speculation as to the documentary's veracity and the provenance of Guetta, his videotape, and his artwork. Given Banksy's reputation, that should not come as a surprise. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Banksy
Genres: Documentary, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy, Special Interest

In Theaters: Apr 16, 2010 Wide
On DVD: Dec 14, 2010
Studio: Abarorama

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
The "Emperor's New Clothes" con job of modern art takes one right on the kisser in Exit Through the Gift Shop, a little guerrilla style filmmaking about guerrilla graffiti artists and their status as darlings of the art world.
Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic
The plain fact is that, on some level, it doesn't matter whether the film is true or not. Either way, it's fascinating. Either way, we learn a lot. Either way, it's a great film.
Tom Long, Detroit News
Hoax or not, Exit Through the Gift Shop ends up energizing, aggravating, enjoyable and revealing. Is it art or isn't it? Who knows? Apparently no one.
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
Put-on, satire, mockumentary, goof? Whatever it is, "Exit Through the Gift Shop" is an original.
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News
Like Banksy's best street work, it pushes and prods our gullibility buttons and sends the mind swirling with questions of artistic authenticity and intent.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
Exit Through the Gift Shop offers an absorbing glimpse of a bracingly subversive slice of the culture, as well as some tantalizing images of Banksy at work.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
An irritatingly misguided and pointless piece of work...
Louis Proyect, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Too ironic by half, this film is hobbled most of all by principal Thierry Guetta, that I find insufferably banal. As a satire on a market-driven art world, it is fairly toothless. Why it has garnered rave reviews is the biggest puzzle of all.
Drew McWeeny, HitFix
Energetic, exciting, entertaining, and at times illegal, Exit Through The Gift Shop is a wicked treat.
Eric Melin, Scene-Stealers.com
Those tricky questions that lie in the chasm between art and commerce are raised naturally through the progression of the narrative, whether that narrative is partially fabricated or not.
S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
Curious docu about street artists with some strong language.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
Since virtually anything can be considered art, the term has become virtually meaningless. This documentary proves it.
John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
The behind-the-scenes insight into the techniques of illegal street art is fascinating, as is the art-market critique..
Jeffrey Chen, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Illustrates how our insistence and abilities in judging and evaluating art are often arbitrary, contradictory, and idiotic.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
It's funny, playful, and intriguing in a way that makes me want to see it again.
Chris Cabin, Slant Magazine
A cinematic treatise on the vagaries of authorship, trends, and the art world itself, Exit Through the Gift Shop is funny and thought-provoking where most documentaries present themselves as trustworthy and invariably factual.
Simon Miraudo, Quickflix
After all those debates about the meaning of art ... [who] would have thought that the best and most incisive comments on the argument would have come from street-punk Banksy?
Justin Strout, Orlando Weekly
Regardless of its motives, Gift Shop is a superb work, one that demands the audience ask questions that don't always go down easily...
Matt Glasby, Flicks.co.nz
A strange oxymoron of a film, like a straight-faced Spinal Tap or a Man On Wire for liars.
Mike Scott, Times-Picayune
The street artist known as Banksy is witty, he's smart, he's subversive -- and he's compelling. So it stands to reason that the street-art doc he ostensibly hijacked would be all those things, too.

Read all 22 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Carlos M

A fascinating documentary focusing on an eccentric guy that decided to film the work of street artists, which could make eternal their ephemeral art. It is both a record of the movement and an amusing character study - while also making us question the nature and value of art itself.
Ken S

Really enjoyed the hell out of this. Worth watching, but even more so, worth discussing afterward.
paul o

More than a documentary, it shows that any human's life can be seen as a drama. hilarious and artistic, banksy has really outdone himself with this mix of showing the artwork of other artists and himself.
Randy T

Hey, if Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol can convince the world that they're legitimate, talented 'artists' then why not obsessive-compulsive Thierry Guetta, right?
Lewis C

A fascinating documentary about street art, or rather a documentary about a man making a documentary about street art. It's a lot funnier, more interesting, and more subversive than it actually sounds, and it leaves you with a lot to think about.
Lorenzo v

"The incredible true story of how the world's greatest Street Art movie was never made..." The story of how an eccentric French shop keeper and amateur film maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back… More
"The incredible true story of how the world's greatest Street Art movie was never made..." The story of how an eccentric French shop keeper and amateur film maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner. The film contains footage of Banksy, Shephard Fairey, Invader and many of the world's most infamous graffiti artists at work. <center>REVIEW</center> A fiercely entertaining movie about one man's crusade to make a film record of the underground street art world that becomes more about the man himself than it does about the art. Banksy, the legendary street artist and director of the documentary, tells the story of Thierry, an amateur filmmaker who makes friends with the street art community and records them at work. They like him, mostly because he's documenting for the world what they do. The ultimate catch is getting a chance to meet and record Banksy himself, which Thierry does. This seems to be what the movie is about and takes us to about the mid-way point. But then the focus shifts -- Thierry decides he wants to be an overnight street art sensation himself and stages a huge and hugely successful exhibit of his work. Never mind that most of the work was actually done by a team of hired graphic artists and carpenters and that Thierry spends more time aggressively promoting himself than he does creating any art. At the heart of "Exit Through the Gift Shop" are some compelling questions about the legitimacy of art. The public buys into the hype and embraces Thierry as the Next Big Thing -- are they dupes or trend setters? When does art become art? When it's put on a wall or when the public endorses it? You can feel the bitterness and most probably jealousy of Banksy and the other street artists in the film practically seeping off the screen. After all, here's some anonymous guy that throws a lot of money behind a stunt that gets him instantly to a place that took them years to get to (if they get there at all). It's hard to know how to feel about Thierry. You want to dislike him for many of the same reasons that the street artists clearly feel some animosity toward him, but at the same time it's hard to resist his infectious enthusiasm, and it's not his fault that the general public is basically pretty stupid. If he can recognize that and capitalize off of it, why shouldn't he? It's a right that belongs to all of us.
Idrees K

I got goosebumps from how good it was. When I heard Banksy was coming out with a movie, I had high expectations. It surpassed them.
Kase V

'Exit Through the Gift Shop' is an enjoyable and insightful look into the world of street art, a revolutionary art form in itself. The movie collapses on itself, however, when the audience realizes that Guetta is being made into the antagonist and disrupting everything the… More
'Exit Through the Gift Shop' is an enjoyable and insightful look into the world of street art, a revolutionary art form in itself. The movie collapses on itself, however, when the audience realizes that Guetta is being made into the antagonist and disrupting everything the first 2/3 of the movie stood for. It is interesting to get this inside look as to what drives this creative force and the explanations behind it. It may not be to 'brainwash', as Guetta states, but instead to remind people that the everyday things we see and know don't have to stay that way. They can be twisted and shaped into something remarkable, revolutionary, and unforgettable.
Lanning :

The "overnight success" is rarely a success so quickly. Not only is it possible that Thierry Guetta is a genius, it's also very apparent that he has been driven for years to document the art and artists that he comes to create and be. In that time he is absorbing the… More
The "overnight success" is rarely a success so quickly. Not only is it possible that Thierry Guetta is a genius, it's also very apparent that he has been driven for years to document the art and artists that he comes to create and be. In that time he is absorbing the technique and the work ethic. I'd call him a master learner at the least. "Overnight success" happens all the time, and it will happen many times again. Genius or not, artists in every medium will rise at the right time and be celebrated by the culture in which they rise. And they will make a ton of money if they are popular. More power to them. As far as graffiti or street art -- or whatever you wish to call it -- I've cleaned up my fair share of it. With at least 90% of these "artists" -- really? -- I'd be ashamed to have people know that I was the "artist." It really is crap. From lousy handwriting to lousy execution, it's just plain embarrassing. Holden Caulfield says: . . . I saw another "Fuck you" on the wall. I tried to rub it off with my hand again, but this one was scratched on, with a knife or something. It wouldn't come off. It's hopeless, anyway. If you had a million years to do it in, you couldn't rub out even half the "Fuck you" signs in the world. It's impossible. I feel that way about talentless street artists. They're a dime a dozen, and you'll never wipe out all of their atrocious work. But for that 10% or so who are actually good at it, thank you for folks who document it in photos or movies before it's gone. For me, it's always a pleasure to see great graffiti live and in person.
Sanjay R

A very interesting documentary or well thought out hoax. Either way it is definitely worth a watch, very intriguing.
Jennifer X

I can't stand Exit Through the Gift Shop. Everything about it seemed contrived, lazy, self-indulgent, turgid, pretentious. Whether it's a hoax or not I don't even care, I wanted to throw things at every single person in the film, particularly Banksy.
Michael S

A highly entertaining look at the world of street art, obsession, and overnight celebrity; as directed by Banksy. This is one of the most wholly original documenteries I've ever seen, aswell as one of the most fun. I believe it isn't a hoax but at the same time I just… More
A highly entertaining look at the world of street art, obsession, and overnight celebrity; as directed by Banksy. This is one of the most wholly original documenteries I've ever seen, aswell as one of the most fun. I believe it isn't a hoax but at the same time I just don't really care. It's a great film no matter it's legitimacy (though once again I do believe it to be real).
Dan S

A remarkable look at street art and the personalities that are addicted to it, and how these people somehow avoid the legal ramifications of an illegal act despite doing their work sometimes in plain view. This is one of the most unique films I have seen in quite some time. The… More
A remarkable look at street art and the personalities that are addicted to it, and how these people somehow avoid the legal ramifications of an illegal act despite doing their work sometimes in plain view. This is one of the most unique films I have seen in quite some time. The direction is really top-notch here, as it sometimes becomes a documentary about making a documentary. Full of mysterious, yet still likable, people, who come across as genuinely passionate about what they do, which is hard not to love. It misses masterpiece territory by a little, but still a fine, fascinating film well worth your time.
Thomas J

The idea that Thierry Guetta thinks that because he watched and filmed real street artist in someway transferred him into an artist is ridiculous. The people that have "fueled" the idea he was an artist instead of shameless self promoter show the shallowness of their ability… More
The idea that Thierry Guetta thinks that because he watched and filmed real street artist in someway transferred him into an artist is ridiculous. The people that have "fueled" the idea he was an artist instead of shameless self promoter show the shallowness of their ability to spot art and are at best band-wagon art critics!! lol This movie is artificial acclaim and undeserved hype!
Pedro H

The incredible true story of how the world's greatest Street Art movie was never made... I must start saying that I have been a fan of street art for a long time, before it even started as a trend. When i heard that this documentary was… More
The incredible true story of how the world's greatest Street Art movie was never made... I must start saying that I have been a fan of street art for a long time, before it even started as a trend. When i heard that this documentary was going to be about street art I got really excited, but what turned out to be was a big promotion almost an industrial vision of street artists. This isn't a movie about Banksy, lets make that clear, but like the movie, they use his name to get promotion, this rather interesting movie about what to me is the best work of art there is, turns out to be a big disappointment when we realize that all the movie really wants is to promote these names that should be promoted, they are underground artists, and so these infiltrating new artists make of what is a underground trend something achievable by any little playboy. Overall its a good documentary, it gives a basic insight on what street art is, however throughout the movie we are able to see the real intentions behind it, which is to sell, and thats when the movie starts to lack intrest in my opinion. I've been a fan of street art movies for a long time, there are many out there, a whole bunch of documentaries that really show what street art is all about, and the real undergroundness of it. So Exit Through The Gift Shop isn't all that good, for someone with a passion for street art like me, just to hear the words of Bansky, MBW, and other artists is really amazing, but either than that this movie is that total irony of street art. Thierry Guetta: " I don't know how to play chess, but to me, life is like a game of chess."
Anthony L

I'm sorry but what is so 'typical' of Banksy playing tricks? He's not really a trickster is he, he is playful and inventive in his art work and keeps his identity a secret because what he does is illegal and he doesn't want to be arrested. Sneaking his work… More
I'm sorry but what is so 'typical' of Banksy playing tricks? He's not really a trickster is he, he is playful and inventive in his art work and keeps his identity a secret because what he does is illegal and he doesn't want to be arrested. Sneaking his work into galleries was a logical progression of street art but he's not exactly the next Jeremy Beadle, or Chris Morris for that matter! (Get googling my none British friends). Sure he has made a statement here, like he does with all his work, but I don't think any of it is particularly unbelievable. Thierry Guetta is one of many Frankenstein street artists out there, he's not exactly alone. Galleries are full of pretenders these days, many of them are getting recognition, not to mention rich - as are the galleries. Guetta presented the perfect opportunity in showing this, thanks to his tapes and his documented spiral into an egotistical funfair. Look at how he originally made money, buying old clothes cheap and then selling them for thousands of dollars by labelling them 'Vintage'. There is something very Warhol about him, he would see that as a complement, when if fact Warhol did something that was new and innovative but could only be done once. Guetta is a charlatan, a pretender and an egomaniac, a lovable one but still a fraud. These things happen, here it is on film. Banksy can't exactly choose who likes his work, I remember a couple of years ago, I was outside Waterloo station in London and a group of WI ladies came up to me and asked me where the nearest banksy was, I was a little taken aback and a little upset, as I'm a fan of his work. I got over it fairly quickly, it doesn't bother me at all that he makes lots of money and has work in galleries, at least he is the real deal. Anyway, this film is really good, enjoy it for what it is though and stop looking for something that just isn't there, contrary to popular belief, intelligence and deviancy don't always have to go hand in hand!
MisterYoda ?

4 stars
Curtis L

Entertaining enough. This film was strange in that it starts off with Thierry in a pretty positive light, as someone everybody really likes, but then at the very end all his friends destroy him because he got a little publicity. These artists get so snobby about what art is and who… More
Entertaining enough. This film was strange in that it starts off with Thierry in a pretty positive light, as someone everybody really likes, but then at the very end all his friends destroy him because he got a little publicity. These artists get so snobby about what art is and who can do it and what art is good. Let that be your own opinion, and at least congradulate the guy on his success. Personally, I think his art sucks (and by his art, I mean the art his team of people photoshopped for him). Either way ease up on they guy. If it really is a hoax, it's a pretty good one.
Mark W

What defines art? It's a question we often ask ourselves. Street graffiti artist 'Banksy' thinks if you shout loud enough about your talent (or on this case, the lack of) then people will show an interest whether you're good or not. That's exactly what… More
What defines art? It's a question we often ask ourselves. Street graffiti artist 'Banksy' thinks if you shout loud enough about your talent (or on this case, the lack of) then people will show an interest whether you're good or not. That's exactly what happens to (very) amature filmmaker Thierry Guetta, who decides after filming several street artists' work, that he wants to enter into the world of art himself, despite being an ablsolute imbicile and not possessing a creative bone in his body. This however, doesn't stop the American public from being lulled into this so-called artist's deranged view of his (non-existant) talent and buying up his work, amounting to Thierry accruing over $1million from his exhibition in Los Angeles and becoming very well known in the art world. The man is a buffoon, but what does that then make the people who snapped up his pieces? A great look into post-modern art and raising some serious questions as to what people percieve art to be. On this note, it is pretentious claptrap and shows up the proposterous cheese eating, wine sipping critics who talk right out of their arse. Is this documetary even for real? Is Thierry really this new modern artist adored by the public? Or has Banksy crafted a film to expose the tawdry and ostentatious opinions of pompous, upper middle-class snobs who pretend to have an opinion, but really only want a slice of the recent fad for themselves. Who knows? The film itself may be a an experiment in life imitating art, imitating life. Either way though, the question still stands and it's a thought provoking little documentary.
Everett J

Very entertaining documentary about the subject turning the camera around on the filmaker,forming a more compelling story to tell. Not sure if it's all legitimate or b.s.,but I think that it adds to the fun of the film. If it wins the oscars,will Banksy accept? I hope so.