I'm not sure that the Edies whole problem was codependence. I think they were women who had been raised a certain way and then had that stripped away , making them scrounge for survival. They no longer had money, the trappings of wealth, and the traditions that they had been raised with. This pushed them into their codependent relationship, but there was more to it than that. They weren't exactly the types to go out and get jobs and live normally, what with their upbringings and eccentricities. Also, the hoarding, cats, etc. are typical issues that mentally unstable people who feel insecure have, and these people often live alone.

Jessica Lange makes such a cute little old lady; it's too bad she has felt it necessary to have plastic surgery, 'cause the old lady look is great on her.

The movie was well done and the makeup just amazing. Of course it is depressing but still interesting.

It felt very Norma Desmond, Sunset Blvd to me and definitely agree with Ellen M about why it happened. They had to be a lot crazy, but the movie made them very human. Haven't see the original doc and not sure I want to be that much of a voyeur. Glad the filmmakers came and made a way for Little Edie to get out of that sitch.

Her mother did snow her all those years and I wonder where she had the jewels hidden before the reno. Nobody found them then?

The scene with Jackie was very realistic but why is it Jackie's responsibility to fix this when there were certainly other relatives not too far away to help out as well. She just happened to be the most famous.

Also, did Jackie drop her scarf and L. Edie find it and wear it?

It also reminds me of women not too long before this whose husbands died were sent to live in convent or dower houses on property to live alone. Just read Sense & Sensibility for this.

I strongly concur with your high praise for this amazing film, but I must strongly disagree with your contention that it will only appeal to those who have seen the 1975 documentary. I haven't seen the documentary or any of the other related films and/or plays recounting this extraordinary story, yet I was captivated and deeply moved by this work of art, in particular by Drew Barrymore's career-changing performance as Little Edie. If she and Lange aren't presented with every acting award extant for their brilliant work, there is no justice.

As a New York-trained stage and film actor myself, I have been a life-long fan of Jessica Lange, but to witness Drew Barrymore, with one fell swoop, cast off the taint of a career comprised of popcorn movies and fluffy romantic comedies, has truly been a revelation. I think the world will now see her in a completely different light, as the truly gifted artist she is, deserving of the appropriate respect afforded such individuals.

I agree that it's not necessary to have seen the documentary or any other production of Grey Gardens to appreciate the story as it's told in this movie. I loved it and have no interest in watching the documentary, as it feels voyeuristic and too intrusive for me.

Jessica Lange was fabulous as Big Edie, and while I've never been interested in Drew Barrymore's career, her performance in this movie has taken her to another level. I hope she gets better roles as a result. Both women deserve all the awards they can get. This is a movie I'll enjoy watching again and again.

I've seen the documentary but have only seen pictures online of the HBO movie. What is up with the bedroom set?? They've made it all French-y and wallpapered and glamorous, and with only one bed. The real house looked nothing like this, at least by the time the documentary was made.

The french style of the room was how it appears in the 40's. The room was not yellow unit Jackie O had the place cleaned up..

I've avoided watching the documentary because it seemed it would be highly exploitative. The only reason it was filmed was because of WHO the women are, and their connection to Jackie Kennedy, rather than to explore mental illness. Sadly, there are actually more than a few people who live like this and no one gives a damn because they weren't wealthy and well connected to begin with.

I watched the movie since it was actors and not the real people, and I am doubly glad I did not see the documentary. Instead of seeing any humor or charm in the ladies, I still couldn't get past the tragedy of an entire family turning a blind eye and refusing to help these ladies. I don't care what kind of falling out her sons had with Big Edie, and I don't care of the other Bouvier's are "only" extended family - they had a responsibility to step in LONG before things got to the state they did. The sons are despicable human beings for allowing their mother to live like that. They may not like her, but she gave them life and a home, and to completely abandon her to racoons and poverty and mental illness is remarkably cruel.

I have a hard time watching this and judging it's merits as a "movie" when it's the story of real people who were left to rot.

I loved the HBO movie, haven't seen the doc yet. I was curious if people felt that Gould (the music teacher) left because Big Edie no longer had money, or if he was just fed up with her growing eccentricity. Or both?