Customer Reviews

The Beales of Grey Gardens (The Criterion Collection)

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3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Either no one's got their copy yet---or eveyone's too afraid to write a review--so I will! This is an EXCELLENT follow-up to Grey Gardens! There is no reason at all to think "nothing can match the first one" because THIS CAN! There are hundreds of great new "lines" in this, and all kinds of "revolutionary costumes" we have never seen before. You may wonder what differs in this film, as opposed to the first 'Grey Gardens.' In truth, they are extremely similar--and in that Grey Gardens was wonderful, then that's a good thing! But seriously--the Beales are captured here making many more astute observations than in the first film. "Little" Edie talks at length about the differences between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party--and she received a standing ovation for this, when I saw the film in New York last August! She also addresses the absurd notion that she was once labled "schizophrenic." She says that "NO one with convictions is ever schizophrenic---I just have a terrible temper---it's Southern."

There is lots of singing and a lot of joy in this film. There are different shots of the house, as well, and LOTS of Jerry "The Marble Fawn." The reason for this, is that Al maysles and his crew felt it was interesting to show Jerry's and Little Edie's rivalry and how the mother got quite a kick out of that. In truth, Mrs. Beale had quite a history of pitting her "friends" against Edie, for the sole sake of sitting back and watching the fireworks fly! There are SCREAMINGLY funny passive/aggressive "observations" on Edie's part about Jerry all through this film. "See...the cats smelled Jerry. If he'd stay away for a month or two--I'm SURE we'd get at least two back."

I feel I must address reviewer "D Kascchaks" fixation with the Beale's dirty house. It is near impossible for two ladies (one being in bed and close to 80 at the time) to keep a 28 room mansion clean. They lived on little money, so help was more or less out of the question, as most of those years Jackie Kennedy Onasis was busy with million dollar shopping sprees and had more or less left her childhood relatives behind. And unfortunately, after Mr. Beale "stopped living in East Hampton" Mrs. Beale quickly spent all of the money left to her on parties and a good time. In truth---I don't blame her and hope she had fun! I commend the Maysles for not spending too much footage on the home's condition and instead, dedicated more time to these fascinating ladies. I too---knew Edie Beale, but much later in life. She lived in a very nice, clean apartment in Bal Harbour Florida, with not ONE cat! She was in her 80's at the time, and although I was in my 20's, she had a crush on me! She was a dear to the end, not at all embittered by time or disappointment. It was very important to me to let her know that she HAD accomplished something in life, something more important than any profession or career: And that is being a TRUE original and bringing joy to millions of outcasts and free-thinkers(not to mention fashion officianados!) all over the world. She'd say, "OH, Damon Sweetheart! Whenever I start to feel bad about myself you let me know I am A-OK." A greater reward, I could not have recieved. A week before she passed away, she was excited about a new Edie Beale fan club someone mentioned to me.

I have babbled on! Anyway, this is an excellent film, every bit as good as the original! You will love it, I promise you!

(There are not really any extras on this, but who needs them--as there is so much here! Al Maysles gives an introduction to the film, and introduces us to Jerry (the Marble Fawn) TODAY! The color and clarity are EXCELLENT, by the way.)

If you can believe it, the Maysales' films capture a rather sanitized view of Grey Gardens. I witnessed first hand the Beales from an intimate relationship as a young boy from age 8-13, when I lived across the street from them. Grey Gardens was between my family's house and the beach, and it was on my bike that I met Miss Beale by calling to the spooky lady with cats crawling on her back from the street. After getting to know her from the street, then porch, spending hours with her, I finally met Mrs. Beale a year later when she descended from her bedroom, which was a rare occasion. But Mrs. Beale favored me even more than Miss, because I could sing and she loved to teach me "I can't give you anything but love baby" and sing to her niece Lee Radziwell over the phone from her bedroom. Just know that the house is CLEAN compared to when I knew it. This was pre-condemnation by the board of health, and raid because of the squaler that I knew. There was an empty cat can mountain in the dining room, an inch thick coat of cat fesces on the stairs, and so much more repulsive conditions, it would seem better to live in a tent in the yard. These films show a romantic side to the Beale's life, which has developed quite a cult following as a result. For me, it's a time capsule that is not quite right, since I knew the Beales prior to, and more intimately when they didn't play to the cameras.

A Great look and extra insight into the wonderful characters that Big and Little Edie Beale were. They are presented in a much less exaggerated way from the original documentary "Grey Gardens". A very down to earth look into these two very eccentric and remarkable women. You've got to love them. This would be a great addition to your Beale Library.

Though I had watched "Grey Gardens" at least 2000 times since 1975, last fall, I went to the Castro Theater in San Francisco to see the new print of it with an audience for the first time since the Bouvier-Beales were introduced to me in '75.

That night, an appearance by Jerry Torre was incentive for me to see "Grey Gardens" on the big screen. I had just purchased the Broadway cast album and the song "Jerry loves the way I do my corn" was repeating in my brain as I waited in the long line to get into the theater.

Over 30 years of viewing, the Maysles film had made the Beales virtual friends of mine. Once upon a time, when I said that "Grey Gardens" was my favorite film, nobody had heard of it.

I did not know that a second feature would follow the interview with the "Marble Fawn".

As Ms. Beale pranced through the yard singing "You Ought to be in Pictures," my heart felt as though I was visiting an old friend.

As true today as it was in 1975, you'll either be fascinated or repelled by "The Beales of Grey Gardens." I now have two favorite films.

One thing is certain: you'll never forget them.

Al, if you're reading this - thank you!

Another wonderful DVD about our favourite cult ladies. The picture quality is superb. Criterion is expensive but once you see the highest standards of transfer, you realize it is money well spent.
The content is as usual most interesting. Just wait until you see the 'fashionista' parade of outfits. Most important of course is another opportunity to view the lives of these eccentric fascinating women Just staggering. It leaves you wanting more, more ........ Hope the Broadway musical will be filmed for distribution on DVD.

Everyone else has already said how wonderful the "new" footage, how beautiful the scenery, how in-depth the exploration...I agree with them all. I adore this film and am so grateful it has been made available (I would have taken it as raw footage). I just wanted to mention that the subtitles are way off in many, many places. I'm from Long Island, a native speaker of the LI accent, and I've seen Grey Gardens probably around 500 times. I know what they're saying and it is not what is printed in the subtitles much of the time. Perhaps whoever did the subtitles is not a LI native. It's not really a complaint, but if you really want to know what they're saying you just have to listen closely and let your ear guide you, because if you take your info from the subtitles, it sometimes alters the actual meaning of what they're saying. I hope this helps someone--it's my good deed for the day.

More footage from the "Grey Garden's" documentary. A must see for those of us who can't get enough.

The "Beales of Grey Gardens" brings home the story of Big Edie and Little Edie as introduced in the original "Greygardens". It is very helpful to view "Greygardens" first because it provides the background for the more in-depth presentation of their relationship and history.

Taken from the Criterion Collection desription:

The 1976 cinema vérité classic Grey Gardens, which captured in remarkable close-up the lives of the eccentric East Hampton recluses Big and Little Edie Beale, has spawned everything from a midnight-movie cult following to a Broadway musical, to an upcoming Hollywood adaptation. The filmmakers then went back to their vaults of footage to create part two, The Beales of Grey Gardens, a tribute both to these indomitable women and to the original landmark documentary's legions of fans, who have made them American counterculture icons.

This special DVD includes:

.New digital transfer, approved by director Albert Maysles

.New video introduction by Maysles

.Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

.Plus: A new essay by cultural critic Michael Musto

If you have had the unique experience of viewing the original "Grey Gardens", and getting to know the story of the Beales of East Hampton, then you will delight in this DVD. We do get to see "Little Edie" Beale in more of a "normal" angle. She does a lot of talking, and it makes a lot of sense.