Watching Grey Garden's, I was speechless, baffled even. I had no previous knowledge of the Beale family, but I was immediately enthralled by this documentary, centered around the most unusual mother-daughter relationship. A story of fantasy, tragedy and broken dreams, which left me uplifted yet deeply saddened and questioning "Was that actually real?!". And from then my fascination with Little Edie began.
Although I am a Fashion student and Little Edie is a noted fashion icon, with her unique and eccentric dress sense, this is not the reason I find her so interesting. To me Little Edie's personality is grasping, so grasping that after watching Grey Gardens, I rushed home, read every article I could find about her, and even made my long suffering boyfriend watch both Grey Garden's the documentary and film. Which I slightly regret, as every now and again he will start shouting "EDIE. OHHHH
EDIEEE" at me, and telling me seriously "This is the best costume for today..."
As a previous Psychology student I found myself questioning the sanity of Little Edie, she seemed insane. Shutting herself out of the real world, living with her demanding, senile mother in a crumbling, disgustingly filthy mansion, with only raccoon's, cats and memories to keep her company. However 'crazy' Little Edie may seem, I think she makes the most poignant statements throughout the documentary, my favourite must be "It’s very difficult to keep the line between the past and the present. You know what I mean? It's awfully difficult."
I also find her manner somewhat hilarious whether she's observing her weight with a pair of binoculars or feeding raccoon's in her home with a entire slab of bread. Stating "Course, I'm mad about animals, but raccoon's and cats become a little bit boring. I mean, for too long a time." Whether she's insane or not, she could hardly be described as 'normal' and maybe that's why I find her intriguing." They want everybody to be the same. You can’t have anything different... If you don't go to the Maidstone Club or join the Garden Club, you're written off as crazy. "Although I admire Little Edie, I am also slightly repulsed, protective and pitiful of her.
Most of all I wanted to understand how her life had turned out in such tragedy? How had she transformed from an Aristocracy 'It girl' to a deluded recluse? And did she really set her own hair on fire?
