It seems that a lot of people were dissatisfied with portrayal of Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan in Factory Girl. The issues with the former might be in the eye of the beholder, yet the latter threatened legal action and prevented his name being mentioned in the movie. Therefore, at least one character in the movie might be labeled as fictional.
Personally, i didn't expect absolute factual accuracy from a rather mainstream movie about Edie Sedgwick. Both aforementioned men are so prominent in the arts and culture of the twentieth century, that their depiction in a movie about a minor character in their lives won't change the viewers' opinion. Besides, it has all been seen in documentaries and other movies.
But we are getting sidetracked by famous people who are supporting characters in a movie about the downfall of Edie Sedgwick. The easiest way to describe her would be spoiled rich child loosing grip on reality. In that sense Factory Girl would be one of many movies on the topic. However, it is obvious that she had been deranged before arriving to New York. One possible reason is electroshock treatment, prescribed back in the day even for minor mental problems.
She meets Andy Warhol, a cold oedipal artist with suppressed homosexual desires. We might argue about the artistic merit of his work, yet in the movie he does what he does best: Connecting people and directing them according to his needs. The singer, the alter ego of Bob Dylan, apparently reaches out to Edie. He is more straightforward, interested in playing music, getting high and getting laid.
This is not a healthy environment for anyone, especially not for a girl on drugs with a history of mental issues and considerable funds at her disposal. The outcome is predictable. However, the scary part is that in reality Edie Sedgwick managed to ruin herself in less than two years, not to mention the money spent to support the lifestyle.
For me, Factory Girl is a movie about growing up and maturing in a very wrong way. It is an example how not to make choices in life. The influence of parents, friends and so-called friends is no excuse. The question is, of course, whether there had been other possibilities for Edie. Unfortunately, we'll never find that out.
Personally, i didn't expect absolute factual accuracy from a rather mainstream movie about Edie Sedgwick. Both aforementioned men are so prominent in the arts and culture of the twentieth century, that their depiction in a movie about a minor character in their lives won't change the viewers' opinion. Besides, it has all been seen in documentaries and other movies.
But we are getting sidetracked by famous people who are supporting characters in a movie about the downfall of Edie Sedgwick. The easiest way to describe her would be spoiled rich child loosing grip on reality. In that sense Factory Girl would be one of many movies on the topic. However, it is obvious that she had been deranged before arriving to New York. One possible reason is electroshock treatment, prescribed back in the day even for minor mental problems.
She meets Andy Warhol, a cold oedipal artist with suppressed homosexual desires. We might argue about the artistic merit of his work, yet in the movie he does what he does best: Connecting people and directing them according to his needs. The singer, the alter ego of Bob Dylan, apparently reaches out to Edie. He is more straightforward, interested in playing music, getting high and getting laid.
This is not a healthy environment for anyone, especially not for a girl on drugs with a history of mental issues and considerable funds at her disposal. The outcome is predictable. However, the scary part is that in reality Edie Sedgwick managed to ruin herself in less than two years, not to mention the money spent to support the lifestyle.
For me, Factory Girl is a movie about growing up and maturing in a very wrong way. It is an example how not to make choices in life. The influence of parents, friends and so-called friends is no excuse. The question is, of course, whether there had been other possibilities for Edie. Unfortunately, we'll never find that out.