Grey Gardens (2009)

It's a stunning movie and stunning work by Jessica Lange, Drew Barrymore and Ron Howard.Where do I begin . . . Let me say that Barrymore has risen to the status of 'great' actress. I saw the documentary and then i saw the movie. In "Grey Gardens," Barrymore IS Little Edie. The voice, the quirkiness the look. Jessica Lange, sadly, is in bed most of the time and her movements are limited, but her acting is superb.Ron Howard conveys the sadness of a man who knows that his time on earth is limited and his face shows so much anguish toward the end. He is on screen so little but adds so much.The previous reviewer nailed so much of this movie. So I will only add that Barrymore, had this movie been made for the big screen instead of for TV, deserved an Oscar nomination. But it gives me hope that I will see more of Barrymore. This TV movie portends much more greatness from Barrymore and cements Lange's place in the pantheon of great actors.The Maysayles' (see their "Salesman" documentary!!!) documentary is not to be missed and is great background for those who want to enjoy the TV movie even more.

An extremely fascinating and captivating drama about a mother and daughter both named Edie Beale who isolate themselves from high New York society to their East Hampton mansion. It's just baffling and devastating to see a beautiful home and property and two beautiful women slowly deteriorate over decades span, it's just very sad. This film makes you get in their psyche and makes you realize they're not like everyone else, they think differently and see the world differently than I guess you and I but it still makes me wonder why did they get to that point why couldn't they just move on with there lives and love life and sell the home, I guess it's the only place they felt comfortable and safe, still it's frustrating and makes your heart ache. Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange give fantastic portrayals of the Beale women and it's no wonder why Drew Barrymore won a reward for this. The direction and filming was great as well and sets the perfect mood and atmosphere for the time periods and brings so much layers to the film and is period piece done right. Overall the film is bittersweet to me, the ending was somewhat satisfying and in the end they were both at peace with their lives but it's just a very gloomy and sad movie that makes you think what could of been with their lives but it's an amazing story I won't soon forget. Recommended for the amazing portrayals alone.

The myth has been shattered....again.Made-for-TV movies can indeed equal - or even surpass - high-class theatrical releases. "Grey Gardens" is proof of this. HBO does not aspire to replace the 1975 documentary "Grey Gardens," but rather to supplement it with an account of the lives of the two Edith Beales. The storyline is mainly set at Grey Gardens, the elegant manor in which the Beales reside. As the story opens, "Big Edie" (Jessica Lange) is a high-society woman, and "Little Edie" (Drew Barrymore) is a fresh-faced girl with doll-like clothes and a sweet disposition. Grey Gardens itself is glorious to behold.As the film progresses, the house begins to wither and fade. Its occupants start to experience the trials of aging and poor health. The house becomes their island: a place of isolation and decay. This is where the documentary begins, but it's treated as a framework in the film version."Grey Gardens" tells a story that is both highly specific and completely universal. It deals with missed opportunities, loneliness, aging, and the consequences of seemingly small decisions. Jessica Lange does wonderful work as the matriarch, and Jeanne Tripplehorn and Charles Albert lend invaluable support. Still, the film's revelation is Drew Barrymore. She portrays the most dynamic character, and she pulls it off with great verve and aplomb. She captures the accent, the mannerisms, the sadness, and the vitality of "Little Edie." "Grey Gardens" is an emotional roller-coaster, to use a cliché. It builds slowly, so give it the patience it deserves, and it will deliver.

A dramatization inspired by the Maysles Brothers' documentary Grey Gardens, starring Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore as Big and Little Edie Beale, Jackie Kennedy Onassis' eccentric aunt and cousin. The documentary is generally considered a classic, and gives you lots of hints about who these two women are, but few real explanations. Writer/director Suscy attempts to get to the bottom of the story. The mystery of the doc is nice, but it's also good to have the whole story. Plus, I definitely respond better to dramatizations than documentaries. I would accuse the documentary, or at least raise some slight food for thought, of being a tad exploitative. I thought it presented these people almost like they were a freak show. Yes, I can see that the Maysles had sympathy for the women, but it could definitely be seen as a little mean. This dramatization doesn't have that problem whatsoever. You can completely see who these people are, where they come from, and you feel their pain more deeply. The biggest thing to recommend about this film is Drew Barrymore. I'm sure she'll win an Emmy for it. She should be winning, or at least nominated for the Oscar. I've long felt that she's a talented actress who doesn't challenge herself enough. This proves it. I hope she finds more roles as good as this one in the future. She has matured fantastically. Lange is good, too, of course. Jean Tripplehorn, also an actress who never lived up to her full potential (presumably her career died with Waterworld), appears briefly in the movie's most powerful sequence as Jackie O. The actual film, though it's well done in general (I'd also point to the awesome make-up), isn't especially well directed. It does scream "television". Not a big deal with so much good stuff on screen elsewhere.