an analysis of the 1976 film Grey Gardens and some book recommendations to go along with it

Grey Gardens (1976, Albert Maysles, David Maysles) is a documentary film that shows us the depiction of a relationship between mother and daughter and their lifestyles, Big Edie and Little Edie, one who is middle aged and one well over. Now, these women are the aunt and cousin of First Lady Jackie Kennedy. In this film we see the real depiction of what is like to go from all to nothing. 

One of the many reasons this film is iconic, other than how interesting these subjects are by the way they speak, dress and interact with each other. It also works as a commentary on capitalism and how easy people who seem to have it all can lose it all just as simply as they gain. It is also a depiction of what people tend to prioritize in their lives, these women cannot live their lives without such luxury, and have entrapped themselves in a dreamlike idea of what their reality should look like. 

These women are so separated from the real world, that they do not even realize what they have indeed lost, they are attempting to maintain a life they cannot support. Living in a home that has been infested with wild animals, living secluded in the woods, and eating junk, with almost none homemade dishes. Even with all the financial and health problems they are facing, their biggest worry is all the antiques they are “missing” out on, showing us  how materialistic they have become overtime and lost value of things that should be important, in a world that only valued how you present yourself, especially with the wealth you hold. 

They are living in this bubble they created, a fantasy land in which they call the “grey gardens”. From Manhattan princesses to living secluded with no support , abandoned from all relatives, they had lost everything. One of the reasons that their relatives had abandoned them could have been for a status reason and to not be associated with the women who gambled and lost it all, especially in a political aspect in which they are related to the wife of the president at the time. 

 It is easy to tell that Little and Big Edie have a hard time adapting to their new lifestyle. But, throughout time we slowly see some changes, Little Edie begins to make depictions of luxurious clothing out of scraps. 

These women are so animated and represented in so many characters of film, they do not even seem to possess most ordinary characteristics people carry. I believe the main factor of the film was showing us how likable the unlikeable is.  A feature that keeps us curious about them. They are superficial, loud, careless yet resemble such ordinary features without being ordinary at all. They seem to put on a show throughout this whole film and still we seem interested in what will happen next and how they will do it. There is so much about their relationship we see yet so much we could still know, which longs us for more, but also leaves us with fair assumptions. 

This has been difficult to write, I can barely gather my thoughts together. I believe this film exploited these women. This is not only about one thing but how it carries various aspects of life. Including capitalism, materialism, how to present yourself socially and economically, mental illness, family relationships, values, morals. This was an exploration of women who believed they would be stars of a show, but turned out to be a representation of a capitalist society that can take you down no matter how high on the pedestal you stand. We sit and watch this sad film about women who cannot support themselves properly, mentally are not self aware, and who put on a show for us to see how brave and fascinating they really are but what it really comes down to, we’re analyzing the life they live by judging part of their background and behavior. And when they are trying to show themselves off, even though they are clearly iconic women, who are now just a clear depiction of poverty, we are thinking “how the hell did they get here?”. 

Here are some books I think you’ll like if you liked this film, based on themes:

The Guest by Emma Cline follows a young woman who recently was dismissed by the older man she was seeing, leaving her to navigate her summer alone without any money or any contact to the real world. She goes from place to place, person to person in search of a place to stay.

Like Little Edie and Big Edie, our main character were dismissed by someone who could clearly help them and left with nothing. Isolated from the world they now have to fend for themselves.

Aesthetica by Allie Rowbottom follows a 19 year old influencer suffering at the hands of the beauty standards. As someone with internet presence she is always feeling pressure to get cosmetic procedures. Someone who constantly is searching for a luxurious lifestyle who just also wants to fit in. At the age of 35, the new thing now is to look natural. She will have to contemplate whether reversing her procedures are worth being life threatening in order to look “normal” again.

Like Little Edie, our main character has to cave in to societal standards. Part of that is the ignorance of their own self delusions by creating certain types of “priorities”.

Milk Fed by Melissa Broder is the last rec for this film. This follows Rachel who is 24 with obsessive food rituals; calorie counting. Rachel also has major mommy issues. This is an exploration of sexuality, desire, and mother/daughter relationships.

Like Rachel, Little Edie has very specific rituals, whether it be food or clothing. The main themes that made me pull this book is the constant attempt to live carefree but always failing to do so, whether it be situational, emotional or financial. Another major theme is the family dynamic within the toxic mother/daughter relationships which falls perfectly with this film.