Drew Barrymore gives the performance of her career as the alternatingly tragic and euphoric figure of Little Edie. On the one hand, it is a horror story - essentially this vibrant young woman decides to hide herself away, as forever a child living with her half-demented mother, in a fantasy world. On the the other hand, mother and daughter do have a kind of wonderful rapport; they do create their own eccentric world, and make their own life, regardless of what others might think. I've seen the documentary and both actors capture the spirit of their characters. Instead of playing them crazy or trying to imitate the documentary, they depict the stubbornness, the determination not to care what others think, and the dignity they still cling to. Barrymore, with the head scarves, poses and quips, nails the Little Edie character, and Jessica Lange as Big Edie is a quietly dominating force, but not in a malevolent way.
Review of Grey Gardens
