Two Gerrys or One? That's Entirely Up to You

In reading this board, I notice that there is a great deal of discussion and debate about whether there were two Gerrys or only one. So what is the truth?

In reality, it's up to you. Art of any kind (film, literature, paintings, music, anything) is deeply personal and never has only "one correct interpretation." As long as you can support your interpretation with evidence, no one can tell you that you're wrong. Even if Gus Van Sant came here himself and posted that there were supposed to be two Gerrys, you could respectfully disagree with him.

Art is a two-way street. The artist creates the art, and the viewer interprets it. The artist may have an intention when he/she creates the art, but in reality that has little to nothing to do with how the viewer receives it. If we have a true understanding of this concept, it helps us understand why good art can move and inspire so many different people in such a multitude of ways.