Review of Grey Gardens (2009) by Annonymous M — 29 Jun 2010

A mesmerizing, astounding piece of work -- the documentary AND its subjects. A documentary with cult-status from the 1970's of former Hampton society-mavens by the Maysles (Albert and David) that is so hypnotic that a viewer cannot turn away from the screen because its subject matter (Big and Little Edie Beale) is unbelievable -- because they are REAL.

Wow ... they are something else -- movie characters could never be written like this. An HBO film was made of them last year (2009) starring both Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore which was -- I'd have to say -- equally as good as this.

These women once lived in high-society and were socialites of Manhattan but were reduced to living is squallor in a shanty-shack Hampton mansion reknowned for its imported gardens called Grey Gardens.

This is something else. I loved it ... it is a gem of a find and amazing to watch. Little Edie's observations on life and living were spot-on and she was a true fashion icon! Related to the lovely Jackie O, they achieved a sort of fame with the release of this doc and have claimed to be linked to JFK's older brother who was supposed to have been the president of the US (if he hadn't been killed in war).

These two women are captiviating characters ... all-the-more-so because they weren't scripted. Film lovers need to watch this as it is unlike anything you have ever seen before.