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List Price: $26.98 | | Label: HBO
Salesrank: 1216
Released: July 14, 2009 |
| Our Price: $11.91 |
| Used Price: $9.85 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Based on the life stories of the eccentric aunt and first cousin of Jackie Kennedy, starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange, Grey Gardens tells the tender, intimate story of an eccentric mother and daughter (both named Edith Bouvier Beale aka "Big and Little Edie"). They were raised as Park Avenue débutantes but withdrew from New York society, taking shelter at their Long Island summer home, "Grey Gardens ." As their wealth and contact with the outside world dwindled, so did their grasp on reality. They were reintroduced to the world when international tabloids learned of a health department raid on their home, and Jackie swooped in to save her relatives. Based on the lives that inspired the Maysles Brothers' classic documentary.
Description of Grey Gardens (HBO):
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
Stills from Grey Gardens (click for larger image)
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Grey Gardens (HBO) Reviews:
Lange is Brilliant! Great Story; Excellent Acting! See This One! 
2009-12-20 - The story of the Kennedy relatives is interesting and a true story. Jessica Lange is one of the centuries best actors. She is beyond brilliant in this role. She could not have been better. She captured every nuance of the woman she played. Surprisingly, Drew Barrymore is good too. If you like good acting and an interesting story -- see this one.
terrific, excellent character study
2009-12-16 - This was a fascinating look into the lives of real-life characters! These two actresses did outstanding work, both were deserving of awards(Jessica was rewarded with an emmy). I enjoyed the background of their growing up which gave us the "reasons" for their odd behavior. Movie worth every penny!
Mesmerizing film
2009-12-06 - I was mesmerized by this film... in part because of the haunting story it depicts, but also because I knew it was based on fact. The performances of Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange (especially Lange) are exceptional.
If you are interested in the true story of relatives of Jackie Kennedy's who shared a dysfunctional parent-child relationship in the extreme, then this is the movie for you.
What a captivating experience!
2009-11-30 - Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore were at their very best in Grey Gardens. I adore them both, but it is a miracle that they were cast together in this gripping and unforgettable biographical "event". Grey Gardens was recommended by a friend who knows my fascination with antiques, memorabilia and "the good old days", and oh, how perfectly this movie fit into my heart and mind! The performances of these two charming and beautiful women were simply unforgettable. I loved this movie!
wonderful
2009-11-14 - so glad I saw this movie! I then went on to also see the documentary and the extra footage! a very unique pair!
