On April 18, HBO will premiere the movie adaptation of Albert and David Maysles’ famed 1975 documentary, Grey Gardens. The full-length trailer is making the rounds, and I must admit, I am pretty impressed. Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange not only look eerily like the subjects of the original doc — that is, Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter, Little Edie, cousins of Jackie Kennedy who, in the 1970s, were living in absolute squalor in their East Hampton estate — but they appear to have nailed their eccentric, blue-blooded personas as well. "This is the best thing to wear for today, you understand," says Barrymore-as-Edie, recreating one of the doc’s most famous moments, in which the daughter shows off her, shall we say, unusual fashion sense. We also see a white-haired Lange-as-Edith languishing in bed, kittens a-crawlin’ all over her, and the divine Jeanne Tripplehorn popping up as Jackie O. Undoubtedly, some diehard fans of the original will be aghast that such sacred ground has been reinterpreted in feature-film form. But me, I can’t wait for April 18. Check out the trailer below, then compare it to footage from the doc (also embedded, after the jump). Tell me, Popwatchers, are you staunch characters? S-T-A-U-N-C-H?
Now, watch the real Edie.
I’m confused . . . is this based on the recent musical? It looks like it does the same type of thing.
Andy G, the musical was based on the documentary from the 1970s, which is what this HBO movie is based on too.
I have to say, I am SO impressed by that trailer. Drew and Jessica seem to have their mannerisms down PERFECTLY! Freakishly perfect! The makeup looks great too! I thought I was looking at footage from the documentary for a second there. I can’t wait to watch!
Documentary —> Musical —> HBO Film
I really hope this does the documentary justice, it looks pretty good so far.
I really had my doubts when I heard Drew Barrymore was cast in this, but WOW! Looks like she did a fantastic job! Can’t wait to see it
Sorry, Sunni_d: the HBO special has nothing to do with the musical. They’re both independently adapted from the documentary. I wish it was the musical, so Christine Ebersole’s brilliant performance as Little Edie could be captured on film.
What makes me said is Little Edie emphatically stating, “I don’t want anyone to make a movie about me” in the original documentary. These two women were severely mentally ill and to play it for laughs in a Hollywood film is repulsive. Rather than watch this film I would encourage people to watch the original source material.
Wow. If this was a theatrical release, Drew Barrymore would be a serious contender for Best Actress at the Oscars. Of course Jessica Lange always impresses. Can’t wait.
I, too, had my doubts about this project – but from the trailer, it looks fantastic!!!
Jeff W., who says HBO is playing it for laughs? If anything, I think a movie like this will honor them and let people know there was more to them than what most people know from the doc in the 70s.
I think it looks great and can’t wait to watch it.
I didn’t know Drew Barrymore could ever do such a good job but she looks amazing in the trailer. Defiantly going to watch just to see her performance.
I definitely plan on watching this. I see a Globe & Emmy win for Drew.
I love all things Grey Gardens. And this looks as though it will not disappoint. I was a bit skeptical, as others have mentioned, when they announced this project, but based on the trailer it seems as though they are being respectful and pretty true to the source material. That pleases me.
I adore Jeanne Tripplehorn.
I thought Drew Barrymore’s accent was a bit over-the-top until I watched the actual footage. Looks like she did a pretty good job. I was skeptical, especially after her accent in Ever After.