You can imagine Van Sant, Damon and Affleck snickering when they read pretentious reviews pronouncing deep meaning and skill in the film.
Gerry (2003)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
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.
Theatrical Release:Feb 14, 2003 Limited
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
Get This Movie
Rent DVD
Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.
Buy DVD
Release:
Nov 11, 2003
Reviews for Gerry
Now we know what happens when director Gus Van Sant gets bored. He makes us bored.
If nothing else, Gerry is restful, though I'm not sure that counts as a recommendation.
The best way to approach Gerry -- perhaps the only way -- is to treat it as a sanctuary, a film to be visited the way you would a Buddhist temple or a piece of ambient music.
A bold experiment from three men who don't have to take on this challenge but are driven to by their creative spirit.
Adventurous and patient moviegoers should see the film for themselves. Just make sure to leave your watch at home.
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.
The movie is so gloriously bloody-minded, so perverse in its obstinacy, that it rises to a kind of mad purity.
It's definitely one of the strangest films ever made by a major U.S. director -- yet I liked it.
I found it an invigorating journey, less like viewing a typical film than taking in a silent movie or (at times) a series of barely-moving photographs.
Hiking for Godot: Van Sant's existential Blair Witch Project's daemon lurks within.
A shaggy-dog story of slackers in the hands of an angry (or at least indifferent) god.
Gus Van Sant is obviously rebelling against Hollywood-style films but going to the other extreme is not the answer.
It's a filmmaker's Full Monty. Bold. Brave. Sort of embarrassing. You may wish he'd kept his proverbial pants on.
On the surface it may seem as barren as its desert, but underneath is a beautiful and surreal meditation.
Latest News for Gerry
January 21, 2009:
Five Favourite Films with James Franco
Having established his name in the Spider-Man movies, these days James Franco is clearly making some more personal career choices. He was in three films in 2008, notable for... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Fresh Links
Featured

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.

Richard Corliss previews the season's best offerings and hottest tickets.

The AV Club's Mike D'Angelo airs his beefs with Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



