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Gerry (2003)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:97
Fresh:58
Rotten:39
Average Rating:6.1/10
Consensus: The type of uncompromising film that divides filmgoers over whether it is profound or pretentious.
Runtime: 1 hr 43 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: In Gus Van Sant's GERRY, a film more concerned with atmosphere and visual breadth than with story or plot, a frivolous hike through the desert evolves into an existential journey for two young men.... In Gus Van Sant's GERRY, a film more concerned with atmosphere and visual breadth than with story or plot, a frivolous hike through the desert evolves into an existential journey for two young men. The film features only two characters, both named Gerry and played by the film's co-creators Casey Affleck and Matt Damon. Driving through a desert populated with imposing rock formations and bordered by miles of sky, the two Gerrys stop to see an unspecified "thing" which they are unable to find. The two young men then attempt to return to their car, but cannot find the pathway back. As they wander through the increasingly difficult desert terrain, their journey strains their friendship and becomes an exploration that is clearly about more than just finding the car. After several commercial projects, GERRY is in some ways a return to roots for director Gus Van Sant. The motifs of moving clouds and the desert imagery may recall his early works--MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO and EVEN COWGIRLS GET THE BLUES--but GERRY is even more ambitious than those revered projects. Highly influenced by Hungarian filmmaker Bela Tarr (WERCKMEISTER HARMONIES), the film uses minimal dialogue and long, languishing shots to achieve a meditative mood. [More]
Starring: Casey Affleck, Matt Damon
Starring: Casey Affleck, Matt Damon
Director: Gus Van Sant
Director: Gus Van Sant
Screenwriter: Casey Affleck, Gus Van Sant
Producer: Dany Wolf
Composer: Arvo Pärt
Studio: ThinkFilm
Reviews for Gerry
The picture can be read as a warning about the perils of improvisation -- a neat joke given how fruitful that method proves here.
One of those films that are better in hindsight — you won't forget the scenery and the torture of enduring it. See it if you're a masochist, don't bother if you're not.
In a hideously arty style Affleck, Damon and Van Sant actually tell us a few things about the man-vs-man and man-vs-nature debate. But you have to look pretty hard to get it.
The two stars...[Casey Affleck and Matt Damon]...both playing characters named Gerry, wander across the desert for some reason, and if you enjoy watching them on any pretext, you'll probably enjoy this; if you don't, you won't.
Likely to sharply divide critics, Gerry goes back to his indie roots with a minimalist work that carries itself almost entirely through the awesome yet austere visuals and sounds.
Although the images from the film are poetic and are more fondly recalled in hindsight, in this case art film for art film's sake doesn't fly very high.
Hiking for Godot: Van Sant's existential Blair Witch Project's daemon lurks within.
Gerry proposes simplicity; even the most capsulated descriptions of it are dubious.
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