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It's hard to imagine a feature film that could improve upon the classic 1975 Hamptons-gothic documentary Grey Gardens, co-directed by Albert and David Maysles. Yet this Grey Gardens, directed by Michael Sucsy for HBO Films, captures not only the pathos and peculiarity of Edith Beale, mère et fille--aristocrats who were aunt and cousin to former first lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy--but it provides something deeper and richer: the background story of the glamorous Beale ladies, and a glimpse at how they slid from gay 1930s high society to sharing rotting living quarters with litters of cats and raccoons.
Drew Barrymore, the Grey Gardens standout, rises to the particular challenge of playing "Little Edie" Beale, whose accent, carriage, and mannerisms have developed their own camp following over the years. Barrymore's performance is a revelation: she captures the weirdness of Edie, but she knows what the documentary fans know--the reality of what Edie once had been, and what she was becoming. Barrymore's performance is delicate and strong, with a hint of sadness underneath the fading ingénue's brave face. Jessica Lange plays "Big Edie," the mother who made more concrete choices to wall herself off from the outside world. Lange is excellent, though Big Edie is a less nuanced character than her daughter, and she seems more content with her lot, perched in her teeming twin bed surrounded by mounds of cats and trash.
The filmmakers pay deep homage to the documentary, and carefully recreate the third lead character of the drama--the East Hampton, N.Y., mansion Grey Gardens itself. The making-of featurette is a must-have for fans of either film, as the filmmakers and actors talk about how they built a three-story facsimile of the home near Toronto (which also stands in for the Manhattan scenes). Also fascinating is the story of how certain beloved sets from the documentary were painstakingly re-created, including the Beales’ yellow bedroom, the entryway that played stage to the dancing aspirations of Little Edie, and the crumbling porch and yard where Edie would pose and prance, decked out in tights, shorts, a pinned-up skirt, and her signature sweater-snood, fastened with a brooch just so. "Well, Mother and I are very entertaining, that's true," says Little Edie, when the Maysles first approach her about cooperating in their documentary. And, happily, viewers of HBO's Grey Gardens could not agree more. --A.T. Hurley
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grey Gardens,
By Paige Booker (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Grey Gardens (DVD)
Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange are so riveting in their portrayal of the mother and daughter Beales of Grey Gardens. I am hoping that their performance will be rewarded with the merit deserved by their industry.
Seeing the documentary first with the interview and observations of Big Edie and Little Edie was so captivating, thank heavens the Maysles had the foresight to record these women. What a devotion to one another. What a life and lifestyle once glamorous and privileged spiralled into such decay and abandon. Why couldn't they escape? Why did they stay? Where were the sons and family? Cousins Jackie and Lee tried but the Beales needed perpetual care. They needed a more stringent intervention. Yet their breeding always showed in language and dreams. My friends have commented on this amazing observation and feel the same as I do. We have both sympathy and affection for both mother and daughter each locked and lost in the world that privliged had invited them and them encased them in this sad destiny. Don't be too critical, there are souls living in various degrees like this in neighbourhoods everywhere. Don't be too critical, there are souls living in various degrees like this in neighbourhoods everywhere.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.6 out of 5 stars (105 customer reviews) 73 of 74 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing!!! A genuinely happy surprise!!!,
By Belter Fan - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Grey Gardens (DVD)
As a HUGE fan of "Grey Gardens", I was skeptical of whether this film would be cringe inducing or tolerable. Jessica Lange is a truly GREAT actress, but I could not imagine how even she would be able to pull off Big Edie. The real worry, however, was Drew Barrymore. I've always liked Drew Barrymore, but did not think she had the acting chops to pull this off.
Gladly, I was wrong on all accounts!!! Jessica Lange is phenomenal, and Drew Barrymore is incredible as Little Edie!! Further, the direction, costumes, music, sets, cinematography, makeup, raccoons, and cats were all spot on. I found myself astonished throughout at what a happy, successful surprise this film was. I cannot wait to purchase the DVD with the hope of many extras (I hope). How about commentary, a house tour, etc. I've always been dubious of the term "instant classic", but I think this film will become as much of a cult classic as the originals....campy, touching, beautiful. Thanks to everyone involved. 49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
STARPOWER IN A MASTERPIECE,
By Michael C. Smith "MGMboy@aol.com" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Grey Gardens (DVD)
It is a rare thing to see a performance where a star is so immersed in a character that the star completely disappears and you are faced with a real living breathing character. This is pure magic when it happens. It happened with Vivien Leigh in "A Streetcar Named Desire." It happened with Elizabeth Taylor in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" And it happens in HBO'S stunningly good "Grey Gardens", not once but twice.
The performances by Jessica Lang as Edith Bouvier Beal is a testament to her immense talent and a reminder of just how far she has come since she slipped from King Kong's fingers into our consciousness. This performance is one that should garner awards galore and be studied for years to come by aspiring actors. This is a masterwork by a great star. Then there is Miss Barrymore. Born of a towering and legendary acting family she has shown us in the past just how astonishingly good she can be. But listen boys, batten down the hatches for the approaching storm that will wrench your heart from your body like a tin roof off a barn in a hurricane. As Edie Beal Drew Barrymore is a thrilling, revelatory, spectacle, a shear joy to behold and so utterly heartbreaking. This is the best work she has ever done and puts her beyond her ancestors as the greatest Barrymore in the dynasty. And buried in the midst of these two towering performances one must not neglect the brilliant, lovely and gentle work by Jeanne Tripplehorn as Jackie Kennedy. Her work here is wonderful. Miss Tripplehorn is indeed with her work on HBO's "Big Love" and here in this film fulfilling her youthful promise as an actress and coming into her own in her middle years. The thing of the matter is that these two wonderful actresses meld into the women in the story so convincingly that if you have seen the original documentary you will think you are seeing the real Beals. A great film, a touching and deeply moving story, a film that should be admired and treasured for the masterpiece it is. 35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
simply amazing.,
By T. S. Robertson "bertram" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Grey Gardens (DVD)
i have to admit that when i first heard of this film being produced i was more than skeptical. i thought it was going to be insane to try to reproduce the original documentary film. but the "reproduced" scenes from the original "grey gardens" are mesmerizing and have been executed with astonishing pinpoint accuracy. there are also flashback scenes to fill in the holes in the story line of the life that these two women shared.
both drew barrymore and jessica lange are dead on in their portrayals of big and little edie. |
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