In the early 70s Edith Bouvier Beale and her daugher, also Edie were discovered living in a tattered, raccoon invested mansion on Long Island and threatened with foreclosure until they were rescued by their immediate relative Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who paid the cost of the upkeep. Following the incident, documentary filmmaking brothers Albert and David Maysles documented the lives of the two eccentrics, in their 70s and 50s, who dance, sing, posture for the camera, and prattle on and on about their memories, dreams, and many, many regrets. "Grey Gardens" is a strange and sad documentary, that may be somewhat manipulative on the part of the directors, but really gets at the heart of these two lost and lonely souls.
An equally excellent film of the same name starring Jessica Lang and Drew Barrymore as big and little Edie was recently made for television and is also worth seeking out.
