I've been avoiding this post.  I wanted to like Grey Gardens SO much.  I didn't know anything about it when I put it into my NetFlix queue except that Emily of Black Apple (who is completely adorable) loved it, there is a musical on Broadway about it, and that it was a documentary from the 70s.

When I started watching and learned that the *estate* was called Grey Gardens, I swooned.  What a great name!

Then the disappointment set in.  Then I started feeling sick to my stomach.  Then I really wanted to turn it off.  But I didn't turn it off.  I even listened to the radio interview the daughter and director did years later in an effort to turn my opinion around.  I was going to watch the commentary, but after a week of putting it off, I decided that I didn't want to watch it again.

I think those women need care ... of many kinds.  And, although they are very charming in their way, I became sick thinking that no one was helping them.

The defense that they wanted this movie doesn't wash with me.  You can find all sorts of people who want all sorts of things, but the fact that someone wants something doesn't make it the right thing to do to give it to them.  I could make all sorts of inflammatory examples* ... but I'm sure you have an imagination.

* I'm resisting my urge because I don't want to get angry emails or start any debates about this.  I just don't think it was right to make this movie ... you might think otherwise.

[photo taken 7/5/2007 in New York]