Review of Grey Gardens (2009) by Emily M — 09 Jun 2007

So amazingly disturbing and heartbreaking. This is a very moving documentary about the fall from grace of former American royalty, but is also about two women trapped not only in the decrepit house, but their own minds.

Although the people I see it with never have pity for Little Edie, I think she is definitely a tragic character. She is trapped by her mother in that house, taken away from the life she loves by an old woman's dementia and family duty.

Throughout the whole movie Edie's only desire is to get out of the house she hates so much before winter. By the end, winter has come and she is still there. My only complaint about this film is that sometimes the shaky cinematography distracts from the action.

However, there is roughly an equal amount of time where it DOES work - a shot of what appears to be nothing as Big Edie wails for her daughter. The house is empty save for the sound.