Review of Grey Gardens (1976) by Steven K — 11 Mar 2015

I found this a fascinating, funny, sad documentary. I watched it for free on a Turner Classics whim and was plastered to my television for its duration. Having been a hospital social worker for many years I have seen my share of eccentric little old ladies, some of whom were also hoarders and "cat ladies".

None of them were quite as wildly eccentric as the mother and daughter depicted in this movie. The most interesting thing about the dynamics of their relationship is that even when one feels certain their frequent squabbling I going to turn nasty and even violent it never does; indeed they seem to enjoy it and either ignore or laugh off their sometimes bitter arguments and caterwauling.

I found myself curious as to the possibility that the daughter, Edie, suffered from some sort of mental illness as her behavior was so bizarre that seemed to be a likelihood. However, her mother more often came across as a rather familiar "tough hen" type who, despite her criticisms of her daughter, probably desperately needed company and an "audience" in her old age.

(She certainly was a verbose old lady; her voice can be heard calling out for her daughter or talking even when the cameras were not on her). Although some would insist that this documentary is a noble depiction of little more than two odd women, I suspect many simply enjoyed it for its pure camp.

The outfits Edie wears throughout the movie alone suggests a creative spirit, but one that must've had many giggling. yes, this is a real and sometimes sad story, yet I suspect neither of the ladies in it would mind it in the least if people found their behavior and bizarre lives in their crumbling mansion downright comedic for, in their ways, both women seemed to savor attention.

I bet they absolutely loved it when the cameras were rolling. As for Jackie O, she really had nothing to be ashamed of; many families have a character or two like these two. This documentary illustrates that people outside the "norm" have a certain nobility; they too are part of life, not merely objects to be pitied.