Grey Gardens (2009) (TV)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Michael Sucsy

Writers (WGA):

Michael Sucsy (teleplay) and
Patricia Rozema (teleplay) ...

Release Date:

18 April 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

True glamour never fades

Plot:

Based on the life stories of the eccentric aunt and first cousin of Jackie Onassis (both named Edith...

Plot Keywords:

Eccentric | Surprise After End Credits | Film Premiere | Old Woman | Poverty

US Showtimes:

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Cast

Neil Babcock	...	Young Phelan Jr. - Age 14
Daniel Baldwin	...	Julius Krug
Drew Barrymore	...	'Little' Edith Bouvier Beale
Marcia Bennett	...	Hostess
Ben Carlson	...	Principal
Kevin Etherington	...	Fashion Photographer
Malcolm Gets	...	George 'Gould' Strong
Neil Girvan	...	Concierge
Louis Grise	...	Young Buddy - Age 12
Arye Gross	...	Albert Maysles
Ken Howard	...	Phelan Beale
Jessica Lange	...	'Big' Edith Bouvier Beale
Justin Louis	...	David Maysles
Tamsen McDonough	...	Model (as Tamsen Evans)
Perry Mucci	...	Young Photographer
Duane Murray	...	Doorman
Joshua Peace	...	Buddy Bouvier
Catherine Marie Thomas	...	Lee Radzwill
Jeanne Tripplehorn	...	Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Olivia Waldriff	...	Young Jacqueline Bouvier - Age 7
Kenneth Welsh	...	Max Gordon
Evan Williams	...	Young Banker

Runtime:

USA:104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Filming Locations:

Centre Island, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Et Cetera Films

Trivia:

Drew Barrymore's facial skin developed some allergies because of the heavy make-up she had to wear.

Quotes:

Phelan Beale: Damn Ganymede.
George 'Gould' Strong: I'm right here Phelan, I can hear you!

Movie Connections:

Remake of Grey Gardens (1975)

Soundtrack:

We Belong Together

Deeply Moving, The film QUIVERS with FEELING

I remember vividly walking through the living room one day in the late 90's when my roommate was chuckling at the documentary GREY GARDENS on the Sundance channel. My eye immediately caught the images of Big and Little Edie in the yellow room and I became involved watching it too. Something about this little documentary just drew me into it. Yes, it was funny, but the humor was also mixed with feelings of horror and pity. I remember feeling a bit uneasy watching these women. One confined to an uncomfortable bed and the other confined to her shattered dreams of unrealized stardom. Both seemingly stuck in a dilapidated house in bad need of repair. What I find beautiful about the documentary is how it questions ones own perception on what "wealth" is. The documentary has that "never judge a book by it's cover" / "things are never quite what they seem" aspect to it. The greatness of the documentary is the message that "real" wealth in life comes in different forms, not just perceived material possessions. The outside doesn't necessarily reflect what's going on beneath the surface. After several viewings of the documentary, it's impossible to have pity for big and little Edie. They had wealth where it counted, in humor, intelligence, feeling, character and for each other.

GREY GARDENS with Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange is a beautiful and deeply moving tribute to a couple of women whose lives might have been forgotten if it weren't for a couple of documentary filmmakers. Handsomely directed and paced by Michael Sucsy, the film resonates so many feelings that only the hardened will not be moved.

At times it is difficult not to compare and judge the performances of Lange and Barrymore with the real Big and Little Edie Beale, especially for those of us overly familiar with the documentary. Oddly enough some of the best scenes in the film are in the early years. If in moments Lange and Barrymore fail to completely live up to an exact interpretation of the Beales, they immediately redeem themselves with the conviction, understanding and love they have for the women and the material. The performances by Lange, Barrymore and Jeanne Tripplehorn will move and surprise you. The film honors, respects and celebrates it's subjects and like the documentary, it touches something deep down.

It reminds all of us that wealth comes in different forms and that true wealth is the loyalty two people can have for each other.