Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

You should see this unique film because you have never seen anything like it before. A landmark documentary style film that is spellbinding to watch, somewhat like watching a train wreck- you can't take your eyes off of it. An eccentric mother and daughter, the Bouvier-Beales, from an aristocratic French/American family, live in poverty in their crumbling mansion with cats and raccoons. This is all true and shown in stark reality with camera work and editing that is what I would describe as effective in this case, although somewhat unorthodox. It is difficult for me to perceive it as exploitive because the two women seem to enjoy having company and performing before the cameras, but the exploitive/invited paradox is one of this strange phenomenon's compelling aspects. Another factor complicating this aspect is that apparently it was their cousin, Lee Bouvier Radziwill, who initially contacted the film-makers although she later renounced the results. So the film crew did not just wander in; they were invited into the project (as it was originally conceived) by a responsible and highly-placed relative.It is hard to put "Grey Gardens" into perspective, but consider that although these women both lived long lives (both lived to be over 80 years old) we are seeing their lives at their nadir. Would a film showing a short period of anyones's life at its absolute low point be flattering to that person? One can only wonder what types of mental conditions or co-dependencies we may be observing while watching "Grey Gardens", and of course it is somewhat sad, but don't miss this film. You will probably never forget it.

This is a cringe-worthy effort to try to make interesting the sad lives of two lonely people that had given up on trying to improve their lot in life, preferring instead to look back at a more illustrious past, and the missteps that brought them to their current condition. Sadly, I sincerely believe hat if there had been no connection to Jackie Kennedy, this would never have received the attention, and indeed, critical acclaim it has managed to attract. This distant relationship does not redeem the film in any way.I believe this was the Maysles' first real film, and it shows. The camera work & audio would be passable for a film-school project from the 70's, but just barely. This film could have used a lot more editing - it might have made it more watchable. I watched this film as one would an accident on the highway; with sympathy for those involved & with gratitude that I would soon be gone.Sorry, judging from the other reviews I am in the minority, but I've nothing good to say about it. Awful. Simply awful.

The review title is offensive? Well, you might have the same opinion if you view the film with an analytical mind. I know and have read about all the fans of this film that are fans of the Beale's as well. That is all well and good, but its beside the point.The Mayles Bros are not slouches and have a very good nack for cinematography and documentation (otherwise they would have not been involved in so many major documentaries). This film does itself justice by showing off that gift. What it doesn't do itself justice with is its exploitation of its subjects.I know I won't get a lot of fans for saying such (true) statements, but it has to be said. Perhaps you'll understand my rational and frame of mind for my two controversial statements thus far by considering a few questions.Why did the Maysles take footage of little Edie prancing around the house like a child? Why were these shots often in extreme close ups? Did these shots make you feel uncomfortable? Did the Beales seem in a clear frame of mind? Would you claim the Beales to be in a healthy mental condition? Were there shots of the Beales getting close to undressing or undressing? If the questions didn't get you thinking, my basic point is the Maysles knew better than to exploit a psychologically troubled mother and child. Framing it as an empathetic slice of life is a cover for compassion trolling and humiliation porn.

Little Edie and Big Edie are characters that anyone can feel compassion for. Even though their house was filthy, this is somehow understandable considering their mental illness. On the message board a poster wrote that "Little Edie has the coping skills of an eight year old." This reminded me of when in the dramatized 2009 version, Big Edie says to Little Edie, "If you're stuck, it's only with yourself!" These women had everything; beauty, talent, intelligence, firm belief in their opinions and actions. Perhaps if Little Edie wasn't so hard on herself the first time things didn't work out, losing her hair, her job, and the love of her life, she would have made it. This somehow ties into what I believe is her mental illness: her inability to pick herself up when times are hard and see that good times lie ahead. The world will never know what have happened if she didn't listen to her mom's plea, "Come home, Edie! Let me take care of you!"Yet these understandably insecure women somehow manage to be brilliant, heartbreaking, and lovable, even in their extremely filthy home. These women were extraordinary, and their interaction with each other bring humor and sadness. When Edie had one of her emotional breakdowns, dwelling about what could have been, or about how she wants to get out of her home because she feels like a little girl, one gets the intense urge to hug her and tell her that "everything will be okay!" Great documentary!!9/10