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.
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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.
i am just really excited to see Drew Barrymore finally act! honestly, i kinda gave up on her… she looks marvelous!
This looks horrible. Why was it posted?
It looks fabulous! and Drew as Edie is a revelation – who knew???
I have neither seen the original doc nor the musical, so I I’m no pro. But right off the bat, I gotta say that Drew Barrymore’s accent sounds overly deliberate, more like a parody of the infamous Kennedy accent.
CANT WAIT
looks great
Since others already mentioned how great Drew looks in it, can I mention the few seconds we say of Jean Triplehorn (sp?), I did a triple take she looks AMAZING!
Stauuunnnnchhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Now that that’s out of the way. This looks fantastic! Thought that both Jessica and Drew were acting strangely when they both went around to promote this but I don’t question their talent in this trailer. Can’t wait!
WOW! Huge fan of both docs (the original and the ’sequel’ w/ found footage) and must say…totally blown away by this trailer…and Jeanne Tripplehorn too…only reason I added HBO to my digital cable was for the new season of “Big Love” and now this…too cool! Can’t wait!!!!
I keep waiting to hear “Around the World.”
How can you remake a documentary? I understand musicalizing it, but remaking?
I will no doubt be watching, of course, but I just find it odd.
That is going to be great.
Dr. Zaius, they aren’t remaking the doc, they’re telling the story of its subjects. There’s a difference.
docudrama… this isnt the first time it’s happened.
I stumbled across an old EW magazine review
of the Maysles Bros.’”Grey Gardens” doc. about 4 yrs. ago appealing to the reader to take a 2nd look at the wonderful doc.I was
hooked immediately & found the DVD at my
local public library.It is one of the most provocative & poignant documentaries I have ever watched.The Maysles Bros. documentary was so well done. Then I heard via “The New Yorker” magazine that Broadway was going to do a musical version of the story & the great actress Christine Ebersol was going to portray Little Edie. I wished that I would have seen it on The Great White Way. But I DID watch the Tony Awards the year Ms. Ebersol & her co-star who played Big Eddie both won Tonys. I even taped the segment when Ms. Ebersol did a snippet for the Tony Awards audience…fabulous! It brought tears to my eyes.Now to hear HBO is doing their version w/Ms. Barrymore & Ms. Lange…well, that’s just full circle for “Grey Gardens” & me.Ms.Barrymore & Ms.
Lange will win Emmies for sure!!
Having know the real Edie Beale a very long time ago, I can say first hand that Drew does an unbelievable job in portraying her ! If you care to check out some personal stories and lots more, please visit http://WWW.MyGreyGardens.com
I just saw this film (the original documentary) because it is the title of a Rufus Wainwright song of the same name that I’ve always liked. I wasn’t all that impressed with the film itself (I kept falling asleep-a bad sign) but the subject matter, the relationship and the circumstances that these grand dames had willfully(?) put themselves in has haunted me since. The HBO film looks like it might answer some questions that the documentary only touched upon. Mainly how and why did they end up as they did?