Grey Gardens (1975)
Directed by Albert and David Maysles, Ellen Hovde and Muffie Meyer
The decrepit mansion that begat an unlikely cottage industry (Broadway musical, star-powered HBO movie) is in East Hampton, bought by rich lawyer Phelan Beale and transferred to his ex-wife, “Big Edie” Bouvier Beale, an aunt of Jackie Kennedy, and lorded over in disreputable glory for 50 years by her and her daughter, Little Edie. Occasionally speaking and appearing on camera, the Maysles warmly let the duo rhapsodize about past glories (seen through crooked, fogged glasses) and blame one another for failures, while the decadently theatrical, catshit-ridden, garbage-strewn setting inserts some truths. Little’s stubborn, glamorous pride (and scarf technique)—and a feeding of the attic raccoons with dumped-out Wonder Bread and cereal—are standouts in this horrifying classic. Justin Stewart (Mar 6-12 at Film Forum, showtimes daily)