Cinema Sundays: Grey Gardens
Image via Everett Collection
Image via Everett Collection
Image via Everett Collection
Grey Gardens, 1975, Directed by the Maysles Brothers
The documentary unravels the lives of Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter Edie while intricately exploring the decay of their once-grand mansion. The film's aesthetic resides in the haunting beauty of the estate, a grand residence now surrendered to time and neglect, echoing the faded glamour of the Beales and one I frankly can’t get enough of. The unexpected presence of raccoons within the dilapidated walls adds depth, symbolising the encroachment of untamed wilderness on this formerly opulent setting. Relatives of Jackie Kennedy and once a symbol of high-society splendor, the estate spiralled into disarray as family money disappeared. Prompted by Suffolk County officials investigating health code violations in 1971, the subsequent tabloid headlines urging the cleanup of the mansion piqued the interest of the Maysles brothers, who transformed the Beales' eccentric existence into a documentary.
The film, marked by the enduring debate surrounding the Beales' relationship and the reasons behind their descent into destitution, invites viewers to ponder whether it was mental illness, maternal dominance, or a series of unfortunate events that led them to their current state. This open-ended approach allows audiences to interpret the Beales' lives as either tragic or triumphant, delving into the complex layers of their mental health and resilience. The documentary stands as a cult classic, transcending the boundaries of conventional storytelling by sparking contemplation on the delicate intersection of wealth, mental well-being, and the human spirit.
Whilst trawling the internet for screen grabs of the documentary, I (& I can’t quite believe I’m admitting this nor did I know as I now feel like a total philistine) discovered there was a HBO adaptation made in 2009 starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange and a follow on documentary a prequel to Grey Gardens, ‘Little Summer’ which came out in 2017. Who can guess the back to backs I’m binging tonight?
