Grey Gardens (1976)

The critic finds the documentary haunting and praises how it expands notions of human possibility by showing two classic eccentrics who live fully on their own terms despite societal expectations.

The review praises the Maysles brothers' film for triumphantly vindicating cinéma vérité through its unblinking yet compassionate portrayal of the Beales. It singles out the subjects themselves as brilliant, genuine performers who turn the film into a hypnotic exploration of their stunted lives.

The critic praises the intimacy and personal interactions of Grey Gardens that changed the course of documentary filmmaking. They single out the compelling mother-daughter dynamic between the Beales and the Maysles' decision to let the subjects' own account stand without external context.

The critic views the restored film as voyeuristic and the unacknowledged ancestor of reality TV, noting its claustrophobic focus on the mansion and the women's lives but finding it does not enlarge understanding.

The critic finds the film sad but feels angry at its presentation of the subjects as grotesques and questions whether the Maysles' direct cinema approach exploits them for voyeuristic effect.

The review criticises the documentary as voyeuristic and offensive, exploiting the eccentric mother and daughter without warmth or empathy. It singles out intrusive shots of the subjects for particular complaint.

The critic praises Grey Gardens as a pure, organic documentary that empathetically captures the complex mother-daughter relationship of Big Edie and Little Edie without judgment, highlighting its haunting camerawork and ability to evoke strong feelings. They single out the restored transfer and essential commentary as making the Criterion release worthwhile.