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Grey Gardens: Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 18, 2009
  • Season #: 1
User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16

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  1. EllenK
    Apr 27, 2009
    10
    I was too busy living my own life in performance (first female radio talk show with daily call in show in Miami and Boston 1971-72) when all this happened to pay much note of the real story. However, Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange certainly captured the true essence of these two fascinating and provocative women. As the film progressed, I began to remember the story in all of its sordid details. I hope the "square-off" in the Best Actress Category for the Emmys results in a tie between the two of them, and awards for both of them. I give this HBO program an "A" on Ellen's Entertainment Report Card.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. ArmondA
    Apr 20, 2009
    7
    Having seen the original documentary film on which this docudrama is based I was left with a number of questions about the story surrounding the narrow time frame presented to us. After watching HBO's production last night my itch of curiosity felt well-scratched. As others have noted, the production values were excellent and the acting ranged from acceptable to astonishing. Drew Barrymore's Little Edie impression was sometimes dead on and sometimes spoiled by personal mannerisms. Jessica Lange's work was terrific. A film like this shouldn't have an "ending", in the conventional sense of "wrap up" or "resolution", and the attempt to tack one on to this sad, grinding tale of human deterioration and decay seems unnecessary and insulting. So too is the heavily dramatic background music that moves right into the foreground as we head into the final scenes in the grand old family mansion. But rather than close this little comment on a sour note, let me again emphasize that the film does a fine job for those of us who've long been interested in this dark and strange true-life riches-to-rags story of squandered privilege. And compared to the MUSICAL!? that was based on the same original material...one could hardly call this straight dramatic version EXPLOITATIVE.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. RayG
    Apr 23, 2009
    10
    Awesome. Should have been released to the theaters.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. jr
    Apr 20, 2009
    10
    Drew and jessica brought a depth and sadness to these women that was truly moving. when you imitate someone who is for some considered an icon, there is bound to be someone else who measures you accordingly. i want to say thank you to jessica and drew for being brave enough to tackle my favorite recluses.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. NerijusD
    Jun 7, 2009
    10
    Brilliant, moving, true to the original documentary.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. eds
    Apr 28, 2009
    0
    The accents were just terrible and distracting. It was like listening to Rose Kennedy trying to put on southern accent.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. DeWayneG
    Apr 21, 2009
    9
    This is the perfect and necessary companion piece to the Maysles brothers’ work of the same name. The Maysles brothers’ film lacks the background and thus seems to me to be exploitative of these two poor deluded women. That film is so sad I can hardly stand to watch it. However, with the much more generous background that this new HBO production provides the two women become much more three dimensional people. The acting and makeup are just superb! Both Barrymore and Lang deserve major awards for becoming their characters to the point that we completely forget who the really are. It is simply astonishing. And since we know, if we have seen the Maysles brothers’ film, who these Ediths are, and that Barrymore and Lang have become their Ediths, as well as losing themselves. Their performances literally bring this production to life, and yet keep their characters within the bounds of the documentary done by the Maysles, while giving them greater depth. All this without a hint of exploitation.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Missy Schwartz
    83
    Jessica Lange brings typically impressive textures to Big Edie. And just wait till you see Drew Barrymore, as Little Edie, deliver the doc's most famous line, ''This is the best costume for today.'' She's a dead ringer for the real thing.
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  2. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Emily Nussbaum
    50
    The original documentary may have been predatory, but it captured something powerful, the face of failed optimism, the many meanings of the word "spoiled." Sometimes it's better to let strange be strange.
    Read full review
  3. Orlando Sentinel
    Reviewed by: Hal Boedeker
    60
    Grey Gardens is thoughtful and swank but ultimately mediocre. Two actresses in top form are required to put this story across.
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