After watching the original so called "documentary", I could not help but feel sympathy for the Beales and to loathe the Maysles brothers for exploiting these two women. I fail to understand how anyone could not see the brothers for what they were. They were nothing but voyeurs selling their product as art.
At least this movie makes some attempt to fill in some of the blanks. Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange's portrayals in the later years were quite good. Jessica Lange's physical resemblance and mannerisms were eerily accurate. The early years in the "documentary" were only noted by showing some actual old photographs of Big Edie and Little Edie when they were both much younger. It's hard to believe if you haven't seen those photos, that the Beales in their prime were more beautiful than the actresses portraying them. This was especially true of Big Edie who looked regal in some of the photos.
Toward the end of this movie, both actresses conveyed (very subtly), the main characters' distaste for how the "documentary" depicted them, while they were in no financial position to oppose the release of the film. This to me was the most redeeming aspect of this film.
At least this movie makes some attempt to fill in some of the blanks. Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange's portrayals in the later years were quite good. Jessica Lange's physical resemblance and mannerisms were eerily accurate. The early years in the "documentary" were only noted by showing some actual old photographs of Big Edie and Little Edie when they were both much younger. It's hard to believe if you haven't seen those photos, that the Beales in their prime were more beautiful than the actresses portraying them. This was especially true of Big Edie who looked regal in some of the photos.
Toward the end of this movie, both actresses conveyed (very subtly), the main characters' distaste for how the "documentary" depicted them, while they were in no financial position to oppose the release of the film. This to me was the most redeeming aspect of this film.