Get lost, Gerry.

Gerry

I have to admit, I can be pretty touch-and-go when it comes to a Gus Van Sant (Elephant/Milk) film. Anybody saw the travesty that was the remake of Hitchcock's "Psycho"? Yeah. Yeah, no. But, as you can see in my earlier review, "Milk" was outstanding, so was "Good Will Hunting" and so was "Finding Forrester".  

After reading an article written by Roger Ebert, he actually asked Van Sant why he decided to remake (shot-for-shot, word-for-word) Psycho. His response was "So nobody else would". 'Brilliant!', I thought out loud. Ebert described the Psycho remake as Van Sant taking away a dangerous toy from reckless kids (the reckless kids being corporate Hollywood filth, I assume). One can say the same for his film "Elephant" (the film based on the events at Columbine High School) and the subject of this review "Gerry". 

"Gerry" is a true story that stars Matt Damon (The Bourne Ultimatum/Ocean's 13) and Casey Affleck (Gone Baby Gone/Ocean's 13) as two friends, both named Gerry, who get lost from a desert hiking trail with no food or water. Sounds interesting enough right? 

I almost think that this film is made to repel most audience members even though I don't think that was the intention. The reason why I brought up Ebert's inquiry to Van Sant about Psycho is because one can say Van Sant made this movie for a similar reason. 

It would be difficult for me to recommend this film. The shots are long, there is little plot, and little dialogue. You might endure the same torture that the Gerrys are feeling on screen. I am guilty as a member of an American movie-going audience with Hollywood ADD (where something simply HAS to happen in every scene), however this one cannot be soaked in without an open and patient mind. I only recommend to try to watch the film and see if you are able to sit through it. You will get to decide whether you'll see it through to the bitter end; whether either of them get to live or die.

Find it at R5! 16th & Broadway!