This is really a sad story. The two mothers and daughters are also collateral relatives of the Kennedy family. The most embarrassing thing is little Eddie. Looking through old photos, she was once beautiful and elegant, and she was a peerless beauty. It is hard to imagine that she is the ugly mad woman in front of her. Although this documentary reveals that there are not only destiny arrangements behind the tragedy, but also ruthless manipulation by a mother, but many of the narratives are just a few words, and it is difficult to put together a complete biography. I have always wanted to know what the little Eddie met, what happened to her, and finally failed to get rid of her mother's control. The little girl who lost her way at home strayed into a mysterious black room, and when she came out, she became a hideous witch.
Michael Sucsy must have the same idea as me. He was shocked by the Methos brothers' record and was attracted by the story of the mother and daughter. He edited the plot version of "Grey Garden" in an attempt to show their entanglements more completely. In the film, the event that determined Little Eddie's life is reorganized. Little Eddie grew up in a broken family, his father abandoned his wife and daughter, and his mother had a new love. Little Eddie had a dream of being a star since she was a child. When she became an adult, her father took her to New York at her request. Mother tried to stop but failed. Little Eddie lives independently and meets a famous filmmaker. Her beauty and lively personality have won her precious film audition opportunities. At this time she also had a suitor, a married wealthy businessman. But the mother was abandoned by her lover, so she tried every means to bring the little Eddie back to her side. She called her ex-husband and asked him to send Little Eddie home again on the grounds that Little Eddie was dating a married man. Once young Eddie ran away from home to find the married man, but the other party said coldly that they only had a sexual relationship. Little Eddie was deeply shocked, and her mother took the opportunity to induce her to go home and stay away from the city. The fragile little Eddie agreed, and gave up the film audition the next day. To make matters worse, under extreme anxiety, little Eddie suddenly loses her hair, which seems to indicate that her youth is beginning to wither. She became more and more afraid of going out of the house, except for her mother, there was no one else in her life. Her growth was suppressed, her future was imprisoned, and her immature heart was bitten bit by bit, leaving nothing but residue.
But how can he be willing to fail so thoroughly. Little Eddie built a psychological fortification, this is her only castle. No one loves, she doubles her boast of herself. No one appreciates, she performs alone regardless of everything. The best way not to be harmed is to reject the real world and immerse yourself in the kingdom of fantasy. She could not tolerate others' ridicule or accept mercy. When the happiness of others stung her, she would fight back with nonsense. There is a scene in the film where their most prominent relative, Jacqueline Kennedy, visits to help them rebuild their homes. Little Eddie saw this woman of fame and fortune, with thick and beautiful hair, but she was bald, and she suddenly went crazy. She said: If it wasn't for Jack Kennedy's elder brother, Joe Kennedy, to die on the battlefield, I would marry him, and the President of the United States would not be Jack but Joe. I would be the first lady, not you. In fact, this is a lie. Little Eddie has met Joe Kennedy and has never dated him, let alone talk about marriage. But she defended her dignity in this way, so as to forget all the deficiencies in life. It has failed miserably without even trying. A woman whose hope has been taken away can only survive on madness.
However, Michael Sucsy's version has too many unreasonable fictions, and it really does not deserve to be compared with the Methoth brothers. At the end of the film, there is even a reconciliation scene between mother and daughter. Little Eddie accused her mother of keeping herself in the house for a lifetime, but her mother retorted, saying that if you really want to leave, no one can hold you. Little Eddie rushed out of the room sadly, her mother was shocked with guilt. Later, the mother took out the jewelry she treasured, and the two embraced and wept. This is a happy ending, out of good wishes or commercial production requirements. But this is forgery after all, and it will never happen. Under the lens of the Methoth brothers, the two mother and daughter quarreled endlessly. They had no emotion at all, but depended on each other. Little Eddie is fierce on the surface, constantly accusing her mother of interference, destroying her choice and ruining her own life. But the mother is the master, she gives orders, and her daughter will obey even if she is dissatisfied. This is habitual, the result of two people facing each other for a long time. The mother actually admitted that she was afraid of being alone and didn't want her daughter to leave her. When she said this, she had no guilt on her face, she could only take it for granted. In many details of life, we can also see how this mother "trained" little Eddie. Not only did she prevent her daughter from contacting men, she also often destroyed her confidence, mocking her for being ugly, lacking talent, and not being liked by men. This is a kind of psychological manipulation, which makes little Eddie feel ashamed and afraid to step out of the house. To some extent, Eddie’s excessive narcissism is also a product of her psychological breakdown. She is extremely inferior, and she can only get inner balance by exaggerating her charm.
There is another aspect of this feature film that I am very dissatisfied with. The Methoth brothers in the film are dwarfed, as if they were shooting documentaries for curiosity. In fact, what moved me most about the classic "Grey Garden" was the director's perspective. They were not spectators watching the excitement, nor were they cold spectators, but witnesses devoted to real emotions. When the Methos brothers knew the truth behind this tragedy, they did not hesitate to give all their sympathy to Eddie. What can best explain the director's attitude is that the old mother Eddie confessed to the camera twice that she was very strict with her daughter and did not hesitate to treat her violently because she obeyed the pastor's advice-the same thing was kept in the movie both times. This is extremely important evidence that proves that young Eddie has lacked maternal love since she was a child, and her mother not only ignored her needs, but also inflicted violence on her. In fact, it was the understanding of the Methoth brothers that made Little Eddie feel free in front of the camera. She was nervous, but exuded a strange look. She even showed love to one of the guides, and that scene was touching and sorrowful. But I believe that Little Eddie did this not entirely because of loneliness, but because he wanted to respond to him being respected.
Looking back now, "Grey Garden" by the Mesoth Brothers should be my favorite documentary film. After so many years, I still remember the feeling when I first watched it. It was like a drowning experience, first fell into a whirlpool of shock, and then the bitter water splashed, choking people's chest and tears. At that time, the news of Sister Furong was everywhere, and I couldn't help but superimpose the image of Little Eddie with hers. They should be the same kind of people, but in different countries, one civilization, one barbaric. The Methos brothers let people see the hardships of little Eddie, so as to comfort her instead of mocking her. But in our media, Sister Furong has no soul. She only has an S-shaped body for the audience to laugh. I still remember that I was at the bottom of my life and experienced too many setbacks. I moved through several industries, but couldn't find my place. I want to use my talents, but I don't know what's so extraordinary. I have met good opportunities, but they were all missed inexplicably. Even, I have already grabbed one, but my weak will makes me retreat. I often feel that a hand is always blocking me. It does not come from others, it is my own. From childhood Eddie and Sister Furong, what I saw was myself: When there is no victory at all, I regard failure as everything. There was a little girl curled up in my heart. She was afraid of light, she was afraid of mirrors, she was afraid of going out, she was afraid of the world outside, she was afraid of people's eyes.
What if this little girl finally came out, she has been carved into another appearance by time, an old ugly crazy woman. Just like me, Ye Zifeng, wearing a clown costume, appeared here. This world of words is already my last residence, where my dreams cannot be broken. I don't know where else to go. I long to be noticed before I die. Like an old ugly mad woman, I am wearing a clown costume, since I can't cry, I hope someone laughs.
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