Review of Grey Gardens (1976) by Jonny 9 — 15 Mar 2010

"Now I know why girls get married. They get forced into it. It's just a matter of choosing who you want to stay with. Of course I'm mad about animals but cats and raccoons get boring." Edie Beale.

Edith and Edie Beale, big and little, were the crazed dames of the East Hamptons and I wish they'd lived to be a thousand. Those who love this movie have little critical nonsense to waste on a documentary that's so in the moment and full of character that it's as personal as meeting the Beale's personally and who would criticize them unless they're dry as an old fish stick. The crumbling mansion, the revolutionary outfits, the old songs, pictures revealing their faded beauty, Jerry the New Yorkese gardener with only a one worded answer to everything, dancing with a miniature star spangled banner, battles over who to marry or not to marry, canned foods in bed, and warm days at the beach all constitute textures that portray the bizarre love/hate relationship between two people. Little Edie regrets having so many years of her life taken away by her mother and it probably goes both ways but at this point, the one we meet them in, they've almost forgotten their place in the world and despite their bickering they probably wouldn't know what to do without each other.

This movie is lovely. A great double feature with "Woman Under the Influence".