Review of Gerry (2002) by Galen A — 12 Mar 2004

Giving [i]Gerry[/i] a fair rating is difficult because it doesn't really belong on a scale with other movies. Like one critic said, it's more of an "experience rather than a movie." The rhythm is so slow and deliberate that it has been likened the experience to taking in "barely moving photographs.

" As has always been the case, extremely long takes seem to really bother people, and [i]Gerry[/i] beats almost all movies in this category. Most can agree that every shot was expertly composed and photographed, but many also cite the sparse dialogue and lack of action as faults.

There is definitely precedent for this type of filmwork; Antonioni used it to represent deserted islands and ghost towns, and Kubrick to portray deep space. At various points the improvisational dialogue and quiet tension may even bring a more conventional film like [i]The Blair Witch Project[/i] to mind.

However, [i]Gerry[/i] remains so unconventional that many people will not slow down enough to appreciate what it has to offer.