@itarecormon In a letter Little Edie wrote to Albert Maysles prior to her death in January 2002, she expressed her excitement about the idea of Grey Gardens being turned into a stage musical: "I am thrilled by what you wrote about the musical 'g.g!' My whole life was music and song! It made up for everything! Thrilled - thrilled - thrilled! I have all ofMother's sheet music and her songs she sang. With all I didn't have, my life was joyous!"
I adore Grey Gardens, both the Documentary and the new docudrama. I have to admit that Drew and Jessica killed the roles. They were AMAZING! So divine.
Maybe it was an extension of the video here, but I remember Edie saying that if anyone was going to play her, it was going to be HER. Why hire someone to play an aspiring actress, when the aspiring actress could do it herself, was her line of thinking, I suppose. So today, I'm sure Edie would love Drew's portrayal and all of the attention it's getting.
It's hard to know what would've become of Little Edie in the 'real' world, she spent about 6 years in New York city living in hotels but never found regular employment and really struggled, needing to be subsidised by her mother who sent her money and food parcels.
Her greatest gifts - her imagination, freewill and impracticality were also her greatest impairments. Nowadays she'd have done better because of our interest in eccentric and unusual non-conformists.
...that being said, I agree that Lange should not have done her own singing. Her voice was servicible, but part of the tragedy of this tale is that Big Edie could REALLY sing. The presentation made her look more like a driven dilletante than a thwarted,gifted artist. You could understand how Mr. Beale, HBO version would not take his wife seriously and rightfully would spare the family the embarassment when this was not the case at all. It was an issue of class, gender and chauvinism.
Everyone is entitle to his or her opinion. I for one would say that the HBO feature was a solidly enjoyable,quality poduct...Beautiful production values, excellent performances, thin writing--except for dialogue, and the best lines still were rehashed from the two docs. A more advanced plot line would've been more satisfying, except in all fairness, there really isn't much of a standard narrative in the lives of the Beale ladies anyway. Drew was uneven, but at her best moments truly outstanding.
Oh please, watch the documentary first then watch the movie, it's actually good and both actresses did a phenominal job, make up your mind for yourself.
There were many scenes in the HBO film that seemed like the REAL lil Edie was there... I had to keep rewinding and looking to make sure it was Drew! Awards are on the way for Drew and Jessica I believe.
I totally agree. This movie is gonna win 90 awards and if it doesnt i will be very disapointed... But i do feel bad that lil Edie didnt want anyone to play her and they went against her wishes... She had a pretty sad life as it was I just hope that she is happy with the amazing performance that Drew did of her
Jessica Lange nailed it as "Big Edie" Drew had big shoes to fill as "lil edie" and she failed to impress me. Jessica in that bed singing "Two for Tea" formed her lips and sung just like "Big Edie" did in the Documentary. You could tell that she worked hard to recreate Big Edie and she totally DID it. She also made Big Edie seem more of a concerned mother than a villian that ruined her daughters life. "lil edie" had a nervous breakdown. She protected her from a harsh world.
@leahbethm there's a vid here, comparing the documentary with the film...fascinating...especially jessica lange who got the mannerisms down...almost a perfect match, with the documentary footage.
I gotta admit, Drew looks like she may have pulled this off - at least in what I've seen of the HBO trailers. Let's face it, Drew has her charms but I never thought of her as a great actress. We shall see...I do wonder what she thought of this clip.
So, "twcg" what did you think of Drew Barrymore's performance? I was heartbroken when I heard of her involvement. However, I think she pulled it off, as well as anyone could.-Save the real Little Edie...
@thewhocaresgirl wikipedia said that little edie allegedly wanted ethel barrymore, drew's great aunt, to play her. wonder if this was true. if so,how fascinating.if not, i hope little edie's spirit isn't unhappy they made a movie about her.
@itarecormon In a letter Little Edie wrote to Albert Maysles prior to her death in January 2002, she expressed her excitement about the idea of Grey Gardens being turned into a stage musical: "I am thrilled by what you wrote about the musical 'g.g!' My whole life was music and song! It made up for everything! Thrilled - thrilled - thrilled! I have all ofMother's sheet music and her songs she sang. With all I didn't have, my life was joyous!"
TheatreGrove 7 months ago
I adore Grey Gardens, both the Documentary and the new docudrama. I have to admit that Drew and Jessica killed the roles. They were AMAZING! So divine.
mwb1089 11 months ago
lead paint
ebutuoy9821 1 year ago
Some one has to play her now. She's dead for Christs sake!
screaminstevehard 1 year ago
Maybe it was an extension of the video here, but I remember Edie saying that if anyone was going to play her, it was going to be HER. Why hire someone to play an aspiring actress, when the aspiring actress could do it herself, was her line of thinking, I suppose. So today, I'm sure Edie would love Drew's portrayal and all of the attention it's getting.
Mike6E 1 year ago
It's hard to know what would've become of Little Edie in the 'real' world, she spent about 6 years in New York city living in hotels but never found regular employment and really struggled, needing to be subsidised by her mother who sent her money and food parcels.
Her greatest gifts - her imagination, freewill and impracticality were also her greatest impairments. Nowadays she'd have done better because of our interest in eccentric and unusual non-conformists.
She was born ahead of her time.
sleepypoodle 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
ALPHABETTY 2 years ago
" almost went crazy" ???
not a long trip lady. no offence hehee
poosaypirate 2 years ago
...that being said, I agree that Lange should not have done her own singing. Her voice was servicible, but part of the tragedy of this tale is that Big Edie could REALLY sing. The presentation made her look more like a driven dilletante than a thwarted,gifted artist. You could understand how Mr. Beale, HBO version would not take his wife seriously and rightfully would spare the family the embarassment when this was not the case at all. It was an issue of class, gender and chauvinism.
babeuf09 2 years ago
Everyone is entitle to his or her opinion. I for one would say that the HBO feature was a solidly enjoyable,quality poduct...Beautiful production values, excellent performances, thin writing--except for dialogue, and the best lines still were rehashed from the two docs. A more advanced plot line would've been more satisfying, except in all fairness, there really isn't much of a standard narrative in the lives of the Beale ladies anyway. Drew was uneven, but at her best moments truly outstanding.
babeuf09 2 years ago
Oh my gosh, my heart just broke a little.
I've not yet seen Drew's portrayal; I wanted to watch the 1975 documentary first - thank you for this playlist!
Now...
Well, I'm off to watch the new movie.
Forgive me, Little Edie.
I feel like a hypocrite.
Elaina43 2 years ago 3
Oh please, watch the documentary first then watch the movie, it's actually good and both actresses did a phenominal job, make up your mind for yourself.
twilliger123 2 years ago 2
Drew was EXCELLENT.
There were many scenes in the HBO film that seemed like the REAL lil Edie was there... I had to keep rewinding and looking to make sure it was Drew! Awards are on the way for Drew and Jessica I believe.
leahbethm 2 years ago 11
I totally agree. This movie is gonna win 90 awards and if it doesnt i will be very disapointed... But i do feel bad that lil Edie didnt want anyone to play her and they went against her wishes... She had a pretty sad life as it was I just hope that she is happy with the amazing performance that Drew did of her
RIP Edith Beale
xXVanillaBlueXx 2 years ago
Jessica Lange nailed it as "Big Edie" Drew had big shoes to fill as "lil edie" and she failed to impress me. Jessica in that bed singing "Two for Tea" formed her lips and sung just like "Big Edie" did in the Documentary. You could tell that she worked hard to recreate Big Edie and she totally DID it. She also made Big Edie seem more of a concerned mother than a villian that ruined her daughters life. "lil edie" had a nervous breakdown. She protected her from a harsh world.
foggakande102 2 years ago 7
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@leahbethm there's a vid here, comparing the documentary with the film...fascinating...especially jessica lange who got the mannerisms down...almost a perfect match, with the documentary footage.
kakadoodoo3000 1 year ago
Drew was flawless.
drachirzimmer 2 years ago 2
I gotta admit, Drew looks like she may have pulled this off - at least in what I've seen of the HBO trailers. Let's face it, Drew has her charms but I never thought of her as a great actress. We shall see...I do wonder what she thought of this clip.
SpeakMediaBlog 2 years ago
Ugh, Drew Barrymore as Little Edie. Doesn't bear thinking about.
thewhocaresgirl 3 years ago
Christine Ebersole did quite well, though.
At least, I thought she did.
SillyWillma 2 years ago
So, "twcg" what did you think of Drew Barrymore's performance? I was heartbroken when I heard of her involvement. However, I think she pulled it off, as well as anyone could.-Save the real Little Edie...
mrsgarrettrocks 2 years ago 3
Haven't seen it yet. But I'm planning on it!
thewhocaresgirl 2 years ago
@thewhocaresgirl wikipedia said that little edie allegedly wanted ethel barrymore, drew's great aunt, to play her. wonder if this was true. if so,how fascinating.if not, i hope little edie's spirit isn't unhappy they made a movie about her.
kakadoodoo3000 1 year ago