Monday, April 20, 2009

Really strange things that are fun to watch...

Okay, because of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency showing on HBO, we've had a chance to see a few extra shows/movies at home. I saw the new "Grey Gardens", with Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange as young and old Edith Bouvier Peale, who lived for decades in a house in East Hampton that became more and more decrepit over time, but they continued living there until it was condemned. Their life was documented in the 1977 documentary at the time, but this film shows a version of their whole lives - from young beautiful women in the heyday of Grey Gardens to the falling apart bitter women who refuse to acknowledge the lives they've given up or the life they're living. It's amazing. It's sad and funny and entertaining and historical and just a great movie to watch. Drew Barrymore masters the Long Island/Boston accent of the high society of the '30s and handles the craziness that was her personality and life so well you can't stop watching. Jessica Lange is good, but older Edie just isn't as interesting a character, but she's still pretty amazing to watch. Check it out if you get the chance.

The other movie is Sydney White a funny retelling of Snow White in the way 10 Things I hate about You does "Taming of the Shrew". Amanda Bynes is great and the supporting cast is fun. It's a quiet, family friendly movie that takes care of a good afternoon.

3 comments:

Nayana Anthony said...

I actually really enjoyed HBO's Grey Gardens, though I'd love it if they'd also show the original documentary.

Jess said...

Hi Nayana, I really liked much of it, but it's a pretty hard story to watch - amazing in many ways.

Reel Whore said...

I had shunned Sydney White, but I really liked She's the Man. Sounds like I should give this one a chance.