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List Price: $26.98 | | Label: HBO
Salesrank: 1056
Released: July 14, 2009 |
| Our Price: $11.25 |
| Used Price: $6.44 |
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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:
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!
perfect acting
2009-11-05 - Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore were perfectly cast, and they both pulled off the huge age changes that they needed to - since a lot of the movie was in flashbacks. They played VERY interesting women, and that also made the movie most enjoyable.
"BEALE BOUVIER BOULEVARD"
2009-11-02 - WHY is this feature not on the BIG SCREEN?
WHAT THE HELL WERE / ARE THE DSITRIBUTORS THINKING?
WELL, so much for another Oscar to Ms. LANGE [Jessica's 3rd] and a richly deserved one to Ms. Barrymore - both ladies in roles that absolutely define Theapian Perfection.
It is difficult to seperate the two actresses, absolutely the best we have ever seen Jessica Lange, and an eye-opener for those who need to experience the depth of emotion that Drew Barrymore has.
Supporting cast - excellent - Daniel Baldwin [great to see him back], Ken Howard and a very gentle performance from Jeannine Tripplehorn as Jackie O.
A sweet, sad movie ~ one not to be missed, perfect in all aspects, sound, music, costume, etc. etc.
A loving tritube to Big and Little Edie.
WE DO NEED TO AND MUST see more of Jassica Lange and Drew Barrymore in roles that they truly deserve ........
Great Team~~~~~
Grey Gardens
2009-10-28 - Very well done . Life in America can be cruel to some people. Circumstances can change during ones life.
