The movie starts off very WTF like, but slowly draws the viewer in. From knowing little of Edie Sedgewick other than the movie Factory Girl. This movie gives a much better and honest insight of her life through a very murky, unrealistic and disjointed array of characters. Amazingly, the whole idea of the movie wasn't to document Edie's own rise and fall. But more as a dramatic piece based on the 'Poor Little Rich Girl' that fascinated Andy and many at The Factory that knew Edie before the general public did. The story was loosely cobbled together from Edie's personal history, the hoopla of the 60's counter culture and art and fashion revolution, and the deflation and enterprising of the whole hippie drug and free love spirit that was doomed by the end of the decade. Edie herself was literally a 'last minute fill in' to play the lead of Susan. As the initial actress went on to other projects, So in a strange twist Edie was brought in to play someone else playing herself with liberty. As surreal, dislocated, and conspiracy strewn as the movie is, it becomes that much more meaningful and believable when one realizes it's Edie more or less 'living the part'. So what was initially drawn up as a 'high end titty film' to profit from the drive in draw (and Edie certainly shows a great pair through the majority of the film); turns into this unwitting vigil recounting her actual past, current demise, and tragic and untimely end. A rich movie of a cheap life played so realistically by a has been that will forever be Edie.
Review of Ciao Manhattan
