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Grey Gardens is the name of a neglected, sprawling estate gone to seed. The crumbling mansion was home to Edith Bouvier Beale, often referred to as "Big Edie," and her daughter, "Little Edie." The East Hampton, Long Island, home became the center of quite a scandal when it was revealed in 1973 that the reclusive aunt and cousin to Jackie O. were living in a state of poverty and filth. That's the background to this 1976 film portrait by cinéma vérité pioneers Albert and David Maysles, but it's only incidental to the fascinating story they discover inside the estate walls.
The two Edies have lived in almost complete seclusion since the mid-1950s, ever since Big Edie's husband abandoned her and Little Edie (then a young socialite on the verge of a dancing career, or so she claims) was called home to care for her depressed mother. Twenty years later they continue to live in their memories while camped out in a single bedroom of the 28-room mansion overrun with cats (who use the floor as their litter box). Rehashing mistakes and missed chances with an accusing banter that becomes more stinging and angry as the documentary progresses, they exist in a sad codependency brings new meaning to the term dysfunctional. Disturbing and discomforting, it comes off like a freak show at times, but for all their arguments and recriminations, the Maysles reveal two women abandoned by their families who are left to cling to each other, for better or worse. --Sean Axmaker
Product Description
Meet Big and Little Edie Beale-high society dropouts, mother and daughter, reclusive cousins of Jackie O.-thriving together amid the decay and disorder of their ramshackle East Hampton mansion. Five years after Gimme Shelter, the Maysles unveiled this impossibly intimate portrait of the unexpected, an eerie echo of the Kennedy Camelot, which has since become a cult classic and established Little Edie as fashion icon and philosopher queen.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
Once you see this film you are hooked. It's as if Little Edie and Big Edie take over your senses. Perhaps one of the oddest films I've ever seen. Intially I didn't even know what to think..truly a bizarre slice of life these two women. It should not be missed.
By Paige Booker
Format:DVD
These women were mesmerizing to observe. What a life.
The Maysles captured an amazing story.
Beautiful young Edie, lost in her own world. Big Edie trying to maintain her dreams. Together what a study of mother/daughter devotion.
You must purchase the movie with Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange. These talented actresses portrayed these American high breds so perfectly through their rise and fall from debutante balls to pitiful social decay. Bravo
The Maysles captured an amazing story.
Beautiful young Edie, lost in her own world. Big Edie trying to maintain her dreams. Together what a study of mother/daughter devotion.
You must purchase the movie with Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange. These talented actresses portrayed these American high breds so perfectly through their rise and fall from debutante balls to pitiful social decay. Bravo
By Tami
Format:DVD
Happened to catch this on the IFC when first released...was absolutely riveted!!! I think it holds even more meaning if you are a female.......I made my mother watch it and we could not believe the similarities altho we are not like the Beale family. (I do get out..I am a flight attendant) But my mother and I are extremely close and the "dance" those two do are strikingly familiar to us....to me what is most apparent at first glance is the despiration Edie feels about leaving, she reminds me of a person that is incarcerated..time stops for them..in their emotional, mental growth. Then it makes me angry that Big Edie could ever be so selfish as to just "take" her daughters life from her..was it out of jealousy?Was it truly out of need? Did she just give up after her husband left her? You almost feel that it was all meant to be tho, especially from the way Big Edie describes her sons, she saw them so differently than she saw Edie. And then,times were so different for women back then.Excellant movie,I am sure the Kennedy and Bouvier Families were mortified!!! But we love them!!! It would be wonderful to see such individuality in everyone!
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4.4 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A True Documentary Classic
The old woman (Big Edie) and the her elder daughter (Little Edie), both confined to a large, old, decrept home, focused on lost memories and events that never happened. Read more
Published on Dec 7 2003 by Michael Gordon
5.0 out of 5 stars
stunning
One of the most brilliant films ever made. you'll want to move in to Grey Gardens.
Published on Nov 5 2003 by frank vigliotti
5.0 out of 5 stars
how grey was my garden...
Personal tragedy, extreme eccentricity and isolation are the ties that bind an elderly mother and her aging daughter to their decrepit estate in the Hamptons. Read more
Published on July 23 2003 by Holly Brand
5.0 out of 5 stars
FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE "EDIES"
Being a biography buff, I was familiar with Kennedy-Bouvier lore but somehow had skipped right over any reference to Big and Little Edie. Read more
Published on May 20 2003 by Carol Jean Thomas
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's Not Easy Being Rich
It's amazing to see how bizarre the life of a "celebrity" family can unfold. Related to Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, the once gorgeous Edith, who sounds remarkably... Read more
Published on Jan 18 2003 by maggie
4.0 out of 5 stars
A mother and daughters sad story that wins your heart
I have never felt so much for two women that had it all and lost it but yet still had eachother in the end. Read more
Published on Jan 4 2003 by Emilio Caponigro, Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The line between fantasy and reality is very fine indeed
A remarkable film by the Maylese brothers. Capturing an immense range of character while provoking in the viewer a stunning emotional response - from the deep sadness and loss of a... Read more
Published on May 13 2002
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Cinema Verite "No Exit"
What initially seems to be a voyeuristic expose of Jackie O's seedy and pathetic relations, slowly evolves into a sometimes hilarious, often touching expression of our worst... Read more
Published on April 9 2002 by R. Geatz
2.0 out of 5 stars
Exploitive
Two ultimately uninteresting women are the basis of this documentary, an exploitive film, which I'm sure was only made because of that "slim" Kennedy connection. Read more
Published on April 8 2002
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential Viewing
A movie to go ga-ga for. A hilarious and heartwrenching film that tries to be about family, fame, duty, loyalty, destiny, disappointment, insanity, genius, fashion, America,... Read more
Published on Feb 22 2002 by Robert S Michaels
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