Grey Gardens 1 & 2

I don't know what your thoughts, memories or associations are for the whole Grey Gardens thing, but mine go back a ways.. I remember seeing the Maysles documentary ages ago and finding it all very disturbing, discomforting, exploitive and absolutely fascinating. What the 00's have with "reality" tv, the 70's had with documentaries and Grey Gardens stands out in my mind as one of the weirdest. Maybe the weirdest.

I hadn't seen the documentary in years but when I heard about the HBO movie I really wanted to see it - but missed it. Then I heard it was coming out on DVD and asked Em (who works at Blockbuster) to keep an eye out for it and grab it for me (there are perks to having a daughter work at Blockbuster!) Soon after she came home with the DVD and one night I sat down to watch it, curious to see how Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lang would handle the roles (I'd read an article in some magazine at the hair salon about how seriously they had studied the actual characters, all their weird mannerisms and voices - spoken and singing. But when i started up the DVD oddly enough it seemed exactly like the original - because it was. I guess Blockbuster was pushing the original in prep for the movie not quite out yet and Em had just grabbed it. So.. I watched the documentary. Now I'm glad I did. Yes, it was as bizarre, disturbing and fascinating as before but.. now when I saw the movie (as I did last night) it was fresh in my mind and I could see how amazingly spot on Drew Barrymore was. Absolutely spot on. 

The movie goes back to the 30's - the depression and the beginning of the downfall. Without money and servants "Big" Edie can't carry on in her tenuous world of East Hampton hostess where she had a captive audience (and family) to continuously assure her she was the star, and "Little" Edie can't attempt to be a star in her own unsuccessful way because she must come home to keep Mommy company. Yikes... I thought things were way bad in the documentary, but according to the movie they were way, waaay worse before Cousin Jackie (Bouvier Kennedy Onassis) was shamed into pitching in to improve their situation.. somewhat..

I'm not a huge Drew Barrymore fan but I thought she was a. excellent at replicating documentary era Edie, and b. absolutely gorgeous in the fashions and hairstyles of early era Edie. I haven't read reviews but I have a feeling there were criticisms.. but her "replication" was amazing (is this fine acting? I'm not sure.. but I don't care really..)

If you have a couple of extra evenings I highly recommend watching the documentary first, then the movie. It's an experience.. albeit a discomforting one! 

Now.. I'm wondering if I want to see.. the musical??

Comments

[LindaSonia]

I remember the documentary from long ago. When I heard they were doing a movie, I checked it out from the local library and watched it all over again and with the same utter fascination and disbelief at how circumstances like this could come to be?!? I couldn't image these actresses would do it justice. I decided I didn't want to see the movie. With your review here, maybe my mind is changed. Maybe. LindaSonia

[colleen]

I LOVED the movie. But only after watching the documentary. My mom only watched the movie and didn't enjoy it. If she had watched the doc first, it would have been a different story. Can't wait to see the musical now! It will be a nice surprise.

[tristanrobin]

A. I have watched the documentary about a dozen times - I adore it.

B. Drew and Jessica were astounding in the movie - and the acting was far more than just impersonating the originals.

C. The musical (I saw the original Off-Broadway production and the Broadway production) is AMAZING. If you like the documentary, you will love the musical.

[mizmode]

I am a huge Drew fan and I always knew that she would rock in this role. And she did and it was fine acting. I do agree with your A and B. :)

I've read several reviews and probably 3 out of 10 were negative towards Drew.

And did you hear GG got 17 Emmy nominations, including Drew for Outstanding Actress in a TV Movie or Mini-series.

Go Drew! :)

[Barbara]

Too funny you should mention this...I just saw the HBO version on Friday and am planning to get the original documentary from Netflix soon. I thought both Jessica and Drew did a fantastic job and it was quite an interesting story. Glad to hear you liked it too!!