Gray Gardens ***

I've been looking forward to seeing this HBO movie about the Beales of Gray Gardens. The original documentaries chronicled the later lives of Big and Little Edie Beale. (Daughter is Edie Jr.) They were high society once, but then were left to live in squalor with little money and no one to look after them. Their Hampton estate was in ruins, and they lived in filth by the end, even though Big Edie was a Bouvier... Jackie O was her neice and did offer help after the documentary came out because I'm sure she was embarrassed. But it was no time before this little bit of help ran out.

Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange star in this retelling of the story of the Edie Beales. I have a lot of respect for Drew Barrymore. She was amazing as Little Edie. (And Jessica Lange did quite well as Big Edie.)

If you've seen the two original documentaries made back in the '70s, this rendition does sort of fill in some holes. It allows us to see what went on leading up to and after the documentaries.

I think that without seeing the original documentaries, this re-telling may be a little strange to you. You'd probably just think 'crazy women' and go on. It's very sad.

The thing about the original documentaries was that you felt like you got to know them. I laughed at them, and I cried with them. They were such a very sad couple, mother and daughter.

I'm glad that I watched the HBO re-telling of 'Gray Gardens'. Drew really nailed Little Edie! And it helped me to further understand them. But, without seeing the original documentaries, I don't think you totally 'feel' for them.

It's fine for the kids, although they probably won't be interested.

A good watch!


And this is the two disc set of both original documentaries:

If you can't see links or videos, that means you're an email subscriber. Thanks!
To see them, just go to the site: http://triciasmoviereviews.blogspot.com