This is cross posted over at wowOwow.com
A Jessica Lange sighting on TV or film has sadly become a rare occurrence. The good news is that this weekend, on HBO, Lange is out in full force as “Big Edie Bouvier Beale” in the drama “Grey Gardens.” She co-stars with Drew Barrymore as her daughter, Little Edie, in the film version of the women’s lives, which previously were immortalized in Albert and David Maysles 1975 documentary.
Interweaving pieces from the documentary and adding a longer timeline and context dating back to “Little Edie’s” aborted debut as a young woman, this film depicts the intense and special and at-times toxic relationship between mother and daughter. Lange’s “Big Edie” ages from 40 to an unrecognizable 80 as a woman with spirit and spunk who hosted parties at her East Hampton mansion — where she was the entertainment. But “Big Edie” was born in a time when women followed the rules, and she got stuck in a loveless society marriage. Yet, instead of trying to spare her daughter the same plight, she initially pushed her to find a rich man who would give her a long leash, even though that leash was chafing her own neck. These women were not meant to be caged, and while trying to break free from societal conventions and live by their own rules (“Little Edie” also was bit by the performing bug) they wound up imprisoned together in isolation and squalor in their East Hampton mansion.
The movie is a unique character study and the performances are mesmerizing. But it’s also sad. Sad that these women felt forced to distance themselves from society to be free. Sad because women who didn’t “fit in” were made to seem crazy and then actually became crazy due to the isolation. “Grey Gardens” on the surface comes off as a love story between a mother and daughter — yet don’t miss the unique lessons on class and gender roles that still seem to stick with us.
Film airs tomorrow night on HBO.
I’m disappointed that it’s airing on HBO and not having a theatrical distribution. Come the f–k on, Hollywood! So often if there are interesting movies with strong female characters, it goes straight to TV. Like Halle Berry playing Dorothy Dandridge and that went straight to TV. What an insult.
The Halle Berry movie, I believe, was developed for HBO. But it’s extremely tough to get theatrical distribution these days. check out the interview with Rachael Horovitz to get more insight into the distribution.
Amazng performances by both Lange and Barrymore. Brilliantly acted, written, filmed and directed. No doubt will be an award winner this year. My wife and I were mesmorized by the performances, the period, the locaion shoots. A memoral HBO experience that should have gone to the big screen. It’s not too late.
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