When Gerry was released it enjoyed a brief stay at the box office, available only in selected cinemas despite Matt Damon's involvement in the project. It received mixed reviews, most critics panning the film for its complete lack of a reason for existing. Perhaps it is because I have come to expect this sort of work from director Gus Van Sant, yes, the man who brought us a shot-by-shot remake of Hitchcock's classic, Psycho, but I enjoyed this tale of two best friends named Gerry who get lost in the desert.
The film opens with no credit sequence, instead of which we follow a car along a deserted road for a never ending fifteen minutes. If I am honest, I held the remote control in my hand throughout the watching of this film, pressing the fast forward button at least a dozen times. This was one of those occasions. This slow, wordless opening with a background of soft and bleak music sets up the mood for the entire film. At first, I felt it odd that two best friends would travel along in a car together without conversation, but the silence kept between Affleck and Damon is a comfortable one, one that does not need words.
This is an on screen friendship that I can believe, the script complimenting the relaxed way in which both actors play their roles. There is a lot of colloquial dialogue and phrases that appear born out of a long friendship, such as the use of the name Gerry being thrown into their exchanges, "Aw man, I did a Gerry."
Van Sant's direction is unselfish, allowing the film to play out its full course, which gives the film a realism that allows tension to build without the use of music, lighting, or even editing. This is demonstrated in the funny and captivating scene where Affleck finds himself stuck on a large rock. Damon decides that his friend's only option is to jump and thus proceeds to create a "dirt pillow". This film is worth watching just to witness the stunt double's leap from fifteen feat in the air down to the ground.
There is an underlying tension between the two friends that although may not be intentional, is certainly befitting as the film meanders to a surprising and baffling climax that holds a sense of empty relief that will jar you. Van Sant has created a delicate piece of experimental art with Gerry. Beautiful landscape shots emphasise how isolated the Gerrys are, and the minimalist mise-en-scene is true to the nature of the film's content. For something that has no real meaning or reason, this is a film that will stay with you, leaving a bittersweet taste in your mouth, and of course begs the inevitable question, "What would I do if I was lost in the desert?"
Rating: 4/5
The film opens with no credit sequence, instead of which we follow a car along a deserted road for a never ending fifteen minutes. If I am honest, I held the remote control in my hand throughout the watching of this film, pressing the fast forward button at least a dozen times. This was one of those occasions. This slow, wordless opening with a background of soft and bleak music sets up the mood for the entire film. At first, I felt it odd that two best friends would travel along in a car together without conversation, but the silence kept between Affleck and Damon is a comfortable one, one that does not need words.
This is an on screen friendship that I can believe, the script complimenting the relaxed way in which both actors play their roles. There is a lot of colloquial dialogue and phrases that appear born out of a long friendship, such as the use of the name Gerry being thrown into their exchanges, "Aw man, I did a Gerry."
Van Sant's direction is unselfish, allowing the film to play out its full course, which gives the film a realism that allows tension to build without the use of music, lighting, or even editing. This is demonstrated in the funny and captivating scene where Affleck finds himself stuck on a large rock. Damon decides that his friend's only option is to jump and thus proceeds to create a "dirt pillow". This film is worth watching just to witness the stunt double's leap from fifteen feat in the air down to the ground.
There is an underlying tension between the two friends that although may not be intentional, is certainly befitting as the film meanders to a surprising and baffling climax that holds a sense of empty relief that will jar you. Van Sant has created a delicate piece of experimental art with Gerry. Beautiful landscape shots emphasise how isolated the Gerrys are, and the minimalist mise-en-scene is true to the nature of the film's content. For something that has no real meaning or reason, this is a film that will stay with you, leaving a bittersweet taste in your mouth, and of course begs the inevitable question, "What would I do if I was lost in the desert?"
Rating: 4/5