Review of Gerry (2002) by David M — 23 Mar 2012

This is a film that is impossible to enjoy. I think that is the point. Absolutely minimalist, with less than 20 minutes of dialogue in a 100 minute film. The austere visuals and sounds create a mood of destitution and hopelessness. A 100 minute film with exactly 100 shots. One minute per shot creates a meditative tone. This is the second part in Van Sants death trilogy.

In such a bleak and ultimately banal film, I feel like it's a commentary on life focused on death. The improvised dialogue only increases the banality as the characters have nothing interesting to say. Which is I think the point. It would've been interesting ad a silent film as well. It is polarizing no doubt. And the end only raises the metaphysical stakes.