That Summer (2018)

That Summer - 2018

Coming up next is 2018's "That Summer", a collection of films and memories of the artist Peter Beard as they pertain to those famous residents of a decaying mansion known as Grey Gardens: the Beales.  The home movies this film uses were shot before the actual documentary "Grey Gardens".

In the summer of 1972, Peter Beard hosted a bunch of people at his home in East Hampton.  These included Lee Radziwill, Truman Capote, and Andy Warhol.  Peter takes us through a bit of what that summer was like with those people.

He also shows us a bit of his artistry.  He tells us of wildlife in Africa, various models he worked with, and famous writers such as Karen Blixen that he met.

We learn of his friendship with Lee Radziwill.  He tells us how they met and how their relationship came about.

During that summer in 1972, Lee wanted to do a film on East Hampton, where she spent time as a child.  She wanted her eccentric Aunt Edie Beale to be the narrator.

And so, we journey to Grey Gardens to meet the Beales.   This is them before the documentary that made them famous.  The house is in a more rough state and it's still very much a work in progress.

Mrs. Beale opens things up as she calls for her daughter.  "Oh, Edie?  Are you around?  Oh, Edie!"

Mrs. Beale talks with her niece about what it's been like living in Grey Gardens while the village of East Hampton has been after them.  She also extols the virtues of her daughter Edie.  "She isn't dirty.  She's very dainty.  She doesn't clean and she doesn't polish.  But she's very dainty."

And Edie shows us her favorite "Disappointed Chair", which she bought at a sale.  She calls it the "Disappointed Chair" because she's the only one that sits in it.

We are also introduced to the many cats of Grey Gardens, including one named "Tedsy Kennedy" because he "looked like Ted Kennedy before he got fat".

We also get a peak at how much Lee Radziwill is involved in the work of cleaning up the house.  She takes the time to talk with the workmen and make sure they have all they need.  Of course, Edie is there criticizing her every move.

One of the funny moments of the film comes when Edie is talking on the telephone about a ghost she's just seen.  Mrs. Beale hates the conversation, and tries everything she can think of to get Edie to be quiet.  "You know, I’m absolutely miserable, my daughter’s just elated.  Happy woman.  And I...I am on the out and out."

We cut back to Lee Radziwill and her quest to uncover the stories of her family in East Hampton.  She seems very approachable and friendly as she talks with the residents of the village about life in times gone by.

Lee even brings her children back at night so they can see the raccoons that also call Grey Gardens home.  Edie feeds them some cake she doesn't think is very good.  "It was delicious.  Well, why did you eat three quarters of it then if it was such rotten cake?" asks her mother.  Edie also talks to Lee's children, but Mrs. Beale doesn't think she's telling things right.  "Oh, come on, Edie!  Please don’t tell lies to these children.  Please, I beg of you.  Let’s make it an honest day, shall we?  Where everybody tells the truth."

Another funny thing throughout the film is that Edie is always looking for her makeup, lipstick, eyebrow pencil, and pants.

The film concludes with Peter Beard giving us some observations of about life today.  "But those were the days when it was so great to, uh...travel on the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth.  This business of airplanes is...very, very, very disappointing."

Cast rundown:

   Edie Beale.......................................Herself

   Edith Bouvier Beale..........................Herself

   Lee Radziwill...................................Herself

   Peter Beard.....................................Himself

And that's it for That Summer.  It's a much better film (I think) than Grey Gardens.  It's a lot of fun to watch the Beales interact with a family member.  They seem much more alive and vibrant in this film.

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