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Thursday, November 23, 2006

THE BEST THING

"This is the best thing to wear for today, you understand. Because I don't like women in skirts and the best thing is to wear pantyhose or some pants under a short skirt, I think. Then you have the pants under the skirt and then you can pull the stockings up over the pants underneath the skirt. And you can always take off the skirt and use it as a cape. So I think this is the best costume for today."

Tho, one may not agree with her fashion sense --- one can't deny that she had one!

Last night Ing and I took in a viewing of the incredible documentary by the Mayles Bros, GREY GARDENS. It was screened at The Castro and we were all treated to a live interview with Jerry. Yes, The Marble Fawn. It was cute and touching to see and hear this interesting self-deprecating man discuss the two women, Big and Little Edie and his relationship to them and the way his time at Grey Gardens has impacted his life. Ing had not seen the film so it was much fun to see it with her! After the screening and interview -- we got the sneak preview showing of the Mayles Bros new video film which is made up of un-used footage from their time filming the two Edies. It was much fun, but I think I would have enjoyed the second film on a different day. 3 hours of Grey Gardens is a bit over-powering. I wish I had the money to get to NYC to see the new musical version on Broadway. I might not like it, but I'd love to see it. If you have been lucky enough -- share your thoughts! It worries me that it was composed by the same man who gave us the score to ANNIE. ...at least, that is what I had read. True?

If you've never seen it -- it is high time you did! It is on Criterion DVD and you can easily rent it. Be warned -- it is oddly hypnotic and manages to touch some interesting buttons in us all: lost dreams, the struggle of parent-to-child relationships, the on-going struggle against a society which insists we all conformity, insanity and sanity thru the tough times. I think, also, the film holds special merits as film which touches on some tough issues unique to women. I can see it. I can feel it. But, I think it has a very different impact for women than men. It also holds a great deal of fun for those of us who love our camp with a dose of real humanity tossed in. This is life, kids.

Last night, as I watched the film it made me reflect on my choices in life and the choices I find myself needing to make. It kept me up all night. Thinking. Hard. I think Ing is a little worried about me, but I'm OK. It's all cool and good. Grey Gardens is a great place to visit, but you would not want to live there.

And, in honor of the film, Little Edie and Thanksgiving --- here are some of my fave quotes from the movie!

"Horrors! Somebody's removing the books from my room! Where'd this little book come from?"

"But you see in dealing with me, the relatives didn't know that they were dealing with a staunch character and I tell you if there's anything worse than dealing with a staunch woman... S-T-A-U-N-C-H. There's nothing worse, I'm telling you. They don't weaken, no matter what."

"I'm gonna get naked in just a minute, so you better watch out!"

"He always compliments me on the way I do my corn."

'Little Edie': You can't have your cake and eat it, too in life.
'Big Edie': Oh, yes, I did. I did, I had my cake, loved it, masticated it, chewed it and had everything I wanted.

Amen.

11 Comments:

Blogger A Bear in the Woods said...

This looks so fascinating. I must see if this can be ordered. I love that you bring these kinds of film to my attention.
Bring heart into your decisions, and you won't go wrong in your deliberations.

4:49 PM  
Blogger The Persian said...

I posted on this documentary last april, please check it out here:

http://becomingvisible.blogspot.com/2006/04/grey-gardens.html

or its also in my favorite posts drop down on my sidebar.

Strangely I was just watching it again last night.

You know I had to buy it 3 times on Ebay before a seller actually shipped it to me instead of refunding me the money.

It was a fascinating watch for sure.

:)

5:53 PM  
Blogger matty said...

Daniel -- YES! You must see it! You can get it from Net Flix or Amazon.com. I'd buy it. It is one that I like to watch over and over again and the DVD is full of extras and a really cool hidden xtra!!!

the persian - I can't wait to read what you wrote!!!! You should have been there with me and Ing to watch it and the new film of un-used footage. (I think they said it would be coming out on DVD soon) ...I forget the name. Ugh! ...and, you coulda met Jerry! He was hangin' in the lobby after the movie chatting with everyone. He drives a cab in NYC now.

ing - do you remember the name of the new movie about Grey Gardens by the Mayles Bros that we saw?!?!? I guess I could google it. Too lazy.

9:02 PM  
Blogger ing said...

Too lazy, cannot remember. Greyer Gardens? Your Grey Is Showing, Hun?

This movie was absolutely fascinating, and I want to watch it again and again. But the issues it brought up! Matty said it was a feminist film and I didn't agree at first. Because it seemed to point out that women who go their own way and choose not to marry or settle down with a man are weird outcasts, doomed to decay, insanity, and dissatisfaction. These women neglected themselves and the outside world in favor of a perverse kind of domesticity. They were so regretful and narcissistic.

But Matty pointed out that the fact that all this bothered me, that I fear becoming like one of these women (an old forgotten relic, in other words), really uncerscores the idea that these antiquated ideas that being partnerless means sinking into eccentricity and decrepitude (maybe that word isn't quite accurate) still exist. Which is something to keep in mind. And that's feminist.

Anyhoo, I loved the film. Matty, Woman In The Dunes is playing at The Castro on Wednesday! I have to see a play that night, or I would go for sure -- this is one of my favorite films of all! You and B should go, if you can!

10:33 PM  
Blogger matty said...

Ing -- I was so happy you liked it! Yeah, I really feel that Big Edie was a victim of being born in a time that was not ready for a woman of her type. She was ahead of her time. And, after viewing the film and seeing the new one, I suspect that Little Edie was born too soon as well -- but, I think there was an illness there. Sad. Beautiful. Funny. Relavent. ...and, something that the rebel in all of us can identify. I think we all have our Grey Gardens. Some of us are better at hiding it than other, but we all have a place like it. I think. ...but we have born at the right time. We have choices and we are using those choices to build the lives that we want.

And, I SHALL be at the Castro to see this film! Which I do not know!?!?!??! B can't go, but I shall be there with bells on!

1:05 PM  
Blogger Lubin said...

I'm hoping to see the musical version in New York this Christmas so will let you know if it's any good.

All I have to do is find this Libra Man!

6:26 AM  
Blogger matty said...

Lubin! I'm so jealous! Christmas in New York AND the musical verision of Grey Gardens!!!!

Oh, to find that Libran man!

2:31 PM  
Blogger Underling Revived said...

Matt, I got this from Netflix a few months ago and was so fascinated by it. I couldn't believe what I saw.

I sat through the entire thing just teetering between interest and extreme embarassment for Edie...

10:17 PM  
Blogger Kalv1n said...

I'm so wearing a skirt as a cape soon.

3:49 PM  
Blogger matty said...

Kalvin -- I most def. feel that you should! That IS the costume for the day, after all!

4:51 PM  
Blogger ing said...

Dang, I overdressed again.

7:00 PM  

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