Jump to content

Grey Gardens (2009 film)

From Catholicism Wiki
Grey Gardens
Genre Biographical drama
Teleplay by Michael Sucsy
Patricia Rozema
Story by Michael Sucsy
Directed by Michael Sucsy
Starring Drew Barrymore
Jessica Lange
Jeanne Tripplehorn
Malcolm Gets
Daniel Baldwin
Ken Howard
Arye Gross
Justin Louis
Music by Rachel Portman
Country of origin United States
Original language English
Production
Executive producers Lucy Barzun Donnelly
Rachael Horovitz
Michael Sucsy
Producer David Coatsworth
Cinematography Mike Eley
Editors Alan Heim
Lee Percy
Running time 104 minutes
Production companies Locomotive Films
Flower Films
Budget $12 million[1]
Original release
Network HBO
Release April 18, 2009

Grey Gardens is a 2009 American biographical drama television film about the lives of Edith Bouvier "Little Edie" Beale, played by Drew Barrymore, and her mother Edith Ewing "Big Edie" Bouvier, played by Jessica Lange. Co-stars include Jeanne Tripplehorn as Jacqueline Kennedy, Little Edie's cousin, and Ken Howard as Phelan Beale, Little Edie's father. The film, directed by Michael Sucsy and co-written by Sucsy and Patricia Rozema, flashes back and forth between various events and dates ranging from Little Edie as a young débutante in 1936 moving with her mother to their Grey Gardens estate through the filming and premiere of the 1975 documentary about their lives, Grey Gardens. Filming began on October 22, 2007.[2]

Grey Gardens premiered on HBO on April 18, 2009 to unanimous applause from critics. It was nominated for 17 Primetime Emmy Awards, winning six including Outstanding Television Movie, Outstanding Lead Actress (for Lange) and Outstanding Supporting Actor (for Howard). It was also nominated for three Golden Globe Awards, winning two for Best Television Movie and Best Actress (for Barrymore). Its lead duo were also nominated for Screen Actors Guild Awards, with Barrymore winning.

Plot

The film is based on the life stories of the eccentric paternal aunt and first cousin of Jackie Kennedy, both named Edith Bouvier Beale. The elder Edith Bouvier Beale was the sister of Jackie Kennedy's father John Vernou Bouvier III and was nicknamed "Big Edie" while her daughter was called "Little Edie". The Beale women were members of New York City's high society but in their later years they withdrew from city life, living at their Long Island summer home/estate Grey Gardens. The house fell into a state of disrepair that gave the Beale women notoriety.

Through flashbacks, we are shown the history of the family's move into the estate. Phelan Beale, husband of Big Edie and father of Little Edie, eventually divorced his wife. In the movie, Little Edie decides to move to New York to pursue a career in acting and an ill-fated romance with high-profile married man Julius "Cap" Krug. Her father tells her that she has to find a husband to support her lifestyle. Little Edie sadly and slowly realizes her fate is to remain her mother's companion at Grey Gardens. After Phelan dies, their two sons tell their mother that there is little money and she should sell the estate and move to Florida. Despite her sons' attempt to help, Big Edie pridefully declares that the house is in her name, and that the only way she'll leave is if she dies. The two women become reclusive and known around town as the highly eccentric proprietors of the home, which has become decrepit and full of stray animals which are taken in by the Beale women. Because of this, the Suffolk County, New York health department comes with a warrant to inspect the mansion and see how it is overrun by cats, raccoons, and mountains of garbage. This causes them to condemn the property and put an eviction notice on the door.

Soon after, Jackie visits and is shocked by the home's condition and by the oddball behavior of the women. Seeing as how she does not want to let the location or many of her childhood memories be taken down, she and her sister, Lee Radziwill, pay for the cleanup and restoration of the mansion.

During one of Radziwill's trips to the mansion, she introduces Big and Little Edie to documentarians Albert and David Maysles, who are making a film about her. A year later, the Maysles come back and say that Radziwill stopped cooperating but they decided that since they found Big and Little Edie to be the most interesting parts of the footage they shot, they asked to do one on them. The film then depicts the filming of various scenes of the documentary, Grey Gardens. When the documentary is finished, Little Edie plans to attend the premiere but her mother tries to discourage it out of spite and the two women fight before Little Edie escapes. Finding one of Big Edie's favorite cats, Whiskers, Little Edie goes back to her and Big Edie tearfully realizes that she has held her daughter back from having a life. She proclaims that she should have let her stay in New York. Reconciling, Big Edie gives her blessing for Little Edie to attend the premiere, and gives her her wedding earrings and necklace to wear, as she intended to give them to her when she got married. As Little Edie attends the premiere, she receives a standing ovation from the audience after its conclusion. Back at the mansion, Big Edie receives a call from Walter Goodman of The New York Times, and when he asks if he can get a comment from her of what she thinks about the Maysles film, she says, "No, Mr. Goodman, it's all in the movie", before she hangs up on him. She laughs as she repeats her last remark to Whiskers.

The movie ends with Little Edie singing "Tea for Two" at the Reno Sweeney cabaret in Greenwich Village and the quote "My mother gave me a truly priceless life."

Cast

Production

Michael Sucsy said that he used primary sources to flesh out the story including letters and journals kept by Little Edie. He also interviewed family members and friends, including Lois Wright who lived in the house and wrote her own book about the events.[3] Albert Maysles is credited as a source in the movie.

Sucsy said that the house facade as well as the interior were created from blueprints. Sucsy said that an aerial shot of the house circa 1936 was historically accurate on the placement of the house in relation to other mansions in East Hampton at the time (although requiring CGI enhancements to create the illusion).[4] As with many movies based on historical events, some events in the Beales' lives, such as the timing of Big Edie and Phelan's divorce, were shifted to make a more coherent story.

The entire film was shot in Ontario, with most of the shots in metropolitan Toronto. The Valley Halla Estate in Rouge Park was the setting of exterior shots of Grey Gardens. Waterfront shots were on Centre Island in the Toronto Islands. Hotel shots were at the Fairmont Royal York. Studio work was done at Toronto Film Studios.[5]

The aerial shot of The Pierre was licensed from An Affair to Remember.[4]

Post-production was done in New York and Los Angeles. The DVD commentary was done in the same studio where the Maysles mixed the original documentary.[4]

Reception

Critical response

The movie has been lauded by many critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 100% out of 10 professional critics gave the film a positive review.[6] Ben Lyons from At the Movies said: "Drew Barrymore is fantastic in this film." Rolling Stone critic Peter Travers also raved: "The script hits a few bumps, but Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore are magnificent as the bizarro Beales. Barrymore is a revelation. Aging into her 60s and transformed in voice and bearing, she finds Edie's unquenchable spirit. Brava."

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2009 Artios Awards Outstanding Achievement in Casting – Television Movie Ellen Parks and Robin D. Cook Won [7]
Online Film & Television Association Awards Best Motion Picture Won [8]
Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Drew Barrymore Won
Jessica Lange Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Ken Howard Nominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Jeanne Tripplehorn Nominated
Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries Michael Sucsy Won
Best Writing of a Motion Picture or Miniseries Michael Sucsy and Patricia Rozema Won
Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Nominated
Best Costume Design in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Won
Best Editing in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Nominated
Best Lighting in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Won
Best Makeup/Hairstyling in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Won
Best Music in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Won
Best Production Design in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Won
Best Sound in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Made for Television Movie Lucy Barzun Donnelly, Rachael Horovitz,
Michael Sucsy, and David Coatsworth 		Won [9]
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Drew Barrymore Nominated
Jessica Lange Won
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Ken Howard Won
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Jeanne Tripplehorn Nominated
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special Michael Sucsy Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special Michael Sucsy and Patricia Rozema Nominated
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie Kalina Ivanov, Brandt Gordon, and
Norma Jean Sanders 		Won[10]
Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or Special Ellen Parks and Robin D. Cook Nominated
Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie Mike Eley Nominated
Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or Special Catherine Marie Thomas and Mickey Carleton Nominated
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or Movie Jenny Fifield-Arbour and Nancy E. Warren Won
Outstanding Makeup for a Miniseries or Movie (Non-Prosthetic) Linda Dowds, Susan Hayward, and Vivian Baker Nominated
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie or Special Vivian Baker, Linda Dowds, Bill Corso, and
Sean Sansom 		Won
Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or Special
(Original Dramatic Score) 		Rachel Portman Nominated
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries or Movie Alan Heim and Lee Percy Nominated
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or Movie Henry Embry and Rick Ash Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Motion Picture Made for Television Won [11]
Best Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Drew Barrymore Won
Jessica Lange Nominated
Television Critics Association Awards Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials Won [12]
Women Film Critics Circle Awards Best Theatrically Unreleased Movie by or About Women Won [13]
Women's Image Network Awards Outstanding Mini-Series / Made for Television Movie Won [14]
Outstanding Actress Made for Television Movie / Mini-Series Jessica Lange Nominated
2010 American Cinema Editors Awards Best Edited Miniseries or Motion Picture for Television Alan Heim and Lee Percy Won [15]
Art Directors Guild Awards Excellence in Production Design Award – Television Movie or Mini-series Kalina Ivanov, Brandt Gordon, Colin Woods,
Tucker Doherty, Jason Clarke, Jeff Helgason,
and Jean Sanders 		Won [16]
Cinema Audio Society Awards Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Television Movies and Miniseries Henry Embry and Rick Ash Won [17]
Costume Designers Guild Awards Outstanding Made for Television Movie or Miniseries Catherine Marie Thomas Won [18]
Critics' Choice Awards Best Picture Made for Television Won [19]
Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television or Miniseries Michael Sucsy Nominated [20]
Dorian Awards TV Drama of the Year Won [21]
Campy Flick of the Year Nominated
TV Performance of the Year: Drama Drew Barrymore Won
Golden Globe Awards Best Miniseries or Television Film Won [22]
Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film Drew Barrymore Won
Jessica Lange Nominated
Gracie Awards Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Lead in a Drama Special Drew Barrymore Won [23]
Producers Guild of America Awards David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television Lucy Barzun Donnelly, Rachael Horovitz,
Michael Sucsy, and David Coatsworth 		Won [24]
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Drew Barrymore Won [25]
Jessica Lange Nominated
Writers Guild of America Awards Long Form – Original Michael Sucsy and Patricia Rozema Nominated [26]
2019 Online Film & Television Association Awards Hall of Fame – Television Programs Inducted [27]

Soundtrack

The Academy Award-winning composer Rachel Portman provided the film score. In addition to Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, the album includes vocal performances by the movie's lead actresses, Jessica Lange (on "We Belong Together" and "I Won't Dance" sung with Malcolm Gets) and Drew Barrymore (on "Tea for Two").

Track list

No. Title Featured artist Length
1. "Virginia Military Institute Song" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 1:00
2. "Little Edie on Chair" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 2:45
3. "Love Is Divine" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 1:21
4. "Edie Come Home" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 2:23
5. "Cements the Deal" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 1:14
6. "Nobody Stuck Anybody Anywhere" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 2:14
7. "Wedding Jewels" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 3:26
8. "I Might Have" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 1:23
9. "Extraordinary Determination" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 1:11
10. "Your Father's Died" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 0:57
11. "Feet First" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 2:52
12. "Invite You In for Tea" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 2:45
13. "She Was Gorgeous" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 1:40
14. "We Belong Together" Jessica Lange & Malcolm Gets 1:08
15. "I Won't Dance" Jessica Lange & Malcolm Gets 1:14
16. "We Belong Together" Jessica Lange 1:41
17. "Young Edie in NYC" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 0:38
18. "Raid" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 1:57
19. "This Will Be Better" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 2:30
20. "All the Luck in the World"/"Love Is Divine" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 2:11
21. "Trust Has Run Out" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 1:13
22. "Long Leash" Prague Philharmonic Orchestra 0:54
23. "Tea for Two" Drew Barrymore 1:29
Total length: 39:36

Additional credits

Jeff Atmajian – orchestrator
Stephanie Diaz-Matos – music supervisor
Chris Dibble – scoring mixer
Jim Dunbar – music supervisor
James Fitzpatrick – orchestra contractor (Tadlow Music)
Bob Garrett – singing coach (Lange & Barrymore)
Simon Haram – musician (soprano sax)
Jan Holzner – assistant scoring engineer
Alex Hustoles – musician (clarinet)
Evyen J. Klean – music consultant
Jaromir Klepac – musician: piano
Stewart Lerman – music mixer, music producer (on-screen songs) 		Petr Matejak – concert master
Yann McCullough – auricle operator
Randall Poster – music supervisor
Jennifer Reeve – music coordinator
George Seara – recordist (on-screen songs)
Jiri Simunek – music preparation
David Snell – conductor
Erich Stratmann – music editor
Stanja Vomockava – music translator
Chris Cozens – auricle control systems (uncredited)
Philip Tallman – music editor (uncredited)
Youki Yamamoto – music associate (uncredited)

References

  1. Back to citation "Grey Gardens (2009) > Details > Box Office". IMDb. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  2. Back to citation Fleming, Michael (February 21, 2006). "Thesps tend to 'Gardens'". Variety. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  3. Back to citation Lois Wright, My Life at Grey Gardens
  4. Back to citation occurrence 4.0 Back to citation occurrence 4.1 Back to citation occurrence 4.2 Grey Gardens DVD – 2009 – HBO – Audio commentary with executive producers Michael Sucsy, Lucy Barzun Donnelly and Rachael Horovitz
  5. Back to citation "Grey Gardens (TV Movie 2009)" – via www.imdb.com.
  6. Back to citation Grey Gardens. Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  7. Back to citation "2009 Artios Awards". www.castingsociety.com. Retrieved November 2, 2009.
  8. Back to citation "13th Annual TV Awards (2008-09)". Online Film & Television Association. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  9. Back to citation "Grey Gardens". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  10. Back to citation Tied with James Merifield, Paul Ghirardani, and Deborah Wilson for Little Dorrit.
  11. Back to citation "2009 Satellite Awards". Satellite Awards. International Press Academy. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  12. Back to citation "Television Critics Association Awards Celebrate 25th Anniversary". Television Critics Association. August 1, 2009. Archived from the original on March 27, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  13. Back to citation "Women Film Critics Circle Awards 2009". Women Film Critics Circle. December 17, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  14. Back to citation "Women's Image Network Announces Nominees, Honoree". www.marketresearchworld.net. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  15. Back to citation Finke, Nikki (January 12, 2010). "Nominees For Editors' ACE Eddie Awards". Deadline. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  16. Back to citation "Nominees/Winners". Art Directors Guild. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  17. Back to citation "The Winners And Nominees For The Cinema Audio Society Awards For Outstanding Achievement In Sound Mixing For 2009". www.cinemaaudiosociety.org. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011.
  18. Back to citation "11th Costume Designers Guild Awards". Costume Designers Guild. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  19. Back to citation Borys Kit; Gregg Kilday (January 15, 2010). "'Hurt Locker' tops Critics' Choice Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 15, 2010.
  20. Back to citation "62nd DGA Awards". Directors Guild of America Awards. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  21. Back to citation "Dorian Awards Past Winners". Dorian Awards. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  22. Back to citation "Grey Gardens – Golden Globes". HFPA. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  23. Back to citation "2010 Gracies Gala Winners". Gracie Awards. October 12, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  24. Back to citation Finke, Nikki (January 24, 2010). "2010 Producers Guild Awards 'Hurt Locker'". Deadline. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  25. Back to citation "The 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  26. Back to citation "Previous Nominees & Winners: 2009 Awards Winners". Writers Guild Awards. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  27. Back to citation "Television Hall of Fame: Productions". Online Film & Television Association. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
Retrieved from "https://catholicism.wiki/index.php?title=Grey_Gardens_(2009_film)&oldid=82351"