Grey Gardens / The Beales of Grey Gardens (The Criterion Collection)
by Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Ellen Hovde, Muffie Meyer
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Brooks Hyers, Edith 'Little Edie' Bouvier Beale, Edith Bouvier Beale, Jack Helmuth, Norman Vincent PealeDirector: Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Ellen Hovde, Muffie Meyer
Brand: Image Entertainment
Cinematographer: Albert Maysles
Producer: Albert Maysles
Cinematographer: David Maysles
Producer: David Maysles
Editor: Ellen Hovde
Editor: Muffie Meyer
Producer: Susan Frömke
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 1.0; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 1.0
Format: Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 185 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-12-05
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Criterion
Movie Reviews of Grey Gardens / The Beales of Grey Gardens (The Criterion Collection)
Movie Review: *Baby Jane* Comes To Life! The *BEALES* Rock!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had to buy the GREY GARDENS/THE BEALES OF GREY GARDENS-CRITERION COLLECTION DVD set, after seeing the HBO bio-pic Grey Gardens (HBO) with Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore (who both did an outstanding job), because I wanted to see the real story of Edith Bouvier Beale and daughter Edie.
The Beales were related to Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis and were part of high society and very rich, but then fell on hard times. They ended up living in squalor in an old dilapidated mansion called "Grey Gardens." The press got wind of it, published the story in newspapers, and gave genius filmmakers Albert Maysles and his brother David the idea to make a documentary about the Beales, which would become the "Grey Gardens" film.
Some might call this exploitation or voyeurism--which it might be--but either way the Beales are certainly entertaining. Never mind the filth, the raccoons, and the numerous cats about the place that find it fit to relieve themselves wherever, Edith and "L'il" Edie are characters that you would not believe!
The matriarch, Edith, reminds me of the character "Sophia Petrillo" on the 80's TV show The Golden Girls - The Complete First Season. She's old and says exactly what's on her mind, sometimes at the expense of her daughter Edie. Edie is like Bette Davis's character "Baby Jane" in the film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (Two-Disc Special Edition). Once a statuesque model, Edie now runs around with a scarf on her head--we never see her without a scarf/turban--bathing suits with fishnet stockings, and layers of clothes held together with safety pins etc. creating whole new fashions. She dances around and gives her ideas on the state of the world, flirts with the Maysles, and the two women fight and sing throughout the two films.
You can't turn away! Sometimes it's very sad to watch the Beales, while other times you can't help but laugh out loud. It really makes you wonder what happened to them. Both were gorgeous and smart women in their time, so it's hard to imagine how they ended up in such an awful state. Perhaps they were a product of their respective generations where women were supposed to know their place and little else. Either way it's really an eye-opening look at lives that are filled with regret.
I feel sorry for Edie because of her over-bearing mother. I also think Edie suffered from social anxiety and that's why she couldn't leave "Grey Gardens" or ever felt comfortable living by herself in NYC when she was younger. And she continues to say that she has to move away from her mother and "Grey Gardens" but she never does. Anyway, both women are more than able to hold their own on camera and each has a personality that eclipses any famous relations they have. Jackie O becomes an after thought.
The GREY GARDENS DVD contains the original documentary-all cleaned up--foldout insert with liner notes by Hilton Als (writer for "The New Yorker") and these bonus features:
*** AUDIO INTERVIEW---40:47-Minutes--1976
Kathryn Graham interviews Edie and one of the Maysles for "Interview" magazine. She asks Edie about her thoughts of the movie, the past, regrets etc. There are 11-audio selections that you can choose individually or play all.
*** 2 FEATURETTES---05:20-Minutes---05:22-Minutes
TODD OLDHAM == Interview with designer Todd Oldham about Edie and Grey Gardens being style and fashion inspirations.
JOHN BARTLETT == Interview with Bartlett about the film and Edie as fashion icon.
*** STILL PHOTO ALBUMS
Interactive photo albums including "family album" and "behind the scenes."
*** TRAILERS
THE BEALES OF GREY GARDENS is some of the extra footage that wasn't used in the original "Grey Gardens." Viewers get to see Edie leave the house, go to church, and go swimming at the beach. This DVD also has a foldout insert with liner notes by Michael Musto (writer for "The Village Voice") and contains:
*** INTRO BY ALBERT MAYSLES--about 8:30-Minutes
Touching intro by Albert Maysles who talks about his memories of the Beales and "Grey Gardens" and you get to see Jerry, the young teenager in GG, all grown up.
The Maysles have created another interesting movie based on real life people and I adore Edie and her unconventional nature. Definitely recommend this set for documentary film lovers and film students and anyone who likes camp. Also checkout the Maysles other films The Beatles - The First U.S. Visit and The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter - Criterion Collection.
Summary of Grey Gardens / The Beales of Grey Gardens (The Criterion Collection)
Meet Big and Little Edie Beale?high society dropouts, mother and daughter, reclusive cousins of Jackie O.?thriving together amid the decay and disorder of their ramshackle East Hampton mansion. An impossibly intimate portrait and an eerie echo of the Kennedy Camelot, Albert and David Maysles?s 1975 Grey Gardens has since become a cult classic and established Little Edie as fashion icon and philosopher queen.Similar DVD Movies
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