Poor Little Rich Girl

Poor Little Rich Girl is an experimental underground movie released in 1965, directed by Andy Warhol with the charismatic Edie Sedgwick as the star. Sedgwick, a socialite turned actress, is most famous for her work in Warhol's Factory scene in the mid to late 60s, particularly her roles in Warhol's unique underground films. In Poor Little Rich Girl, she delivers an unforgettable performance, capturing the attention of Warhol, who became fascinated with her and the complex layers of her personality.

Warhol's films are notoriously avant-garde, forsaking the traditional narrative structures and formats of Hollywood films for a more experimental approach that focuses on naturalistic performances, extended takes, and minimal editing. This directorial style is well suited to Sedgwick's performance in 'Poor Little Rich Girl,' which relies heavily on her real-life persona as a wealthy, troubled girl adrift in the New York City art scene.

The movie takes an intimate look at Edie's life, starting with direct observations of her waking up, her morning routine and preparing for the day, then moving with her through her daily routines. There is no traditional plot or storyline, no neat-and-tidy resolution to wrap things up at the end. Instead, Warhol invites viewers to join him in watching a day in the life of Edie as she navigates her Upper East Side apartment, converses with friends over the phone, and changes her clothes multiple times.

'Poor Little Rich Girl' was shot in black and white and rendered half in a dreamy, blurred focus that strangely mirrors Sedgwick's public image as a beautiful, wealthy girl who was always slightly out of reach. The visuals further underline Sedgwick's isolated life, despite her wealth and beauty. The camera focuses on Edie in her private space, emphasizing her interactions with objects, her body language and the way she inhabits her surroundings.

Much of the dialogue in the film is spontaneous and improvised, creating a sense of intimacy and authenticity. Edie talks about her friends and family, shares stories from her past, including some about her time on the catwalk and her relationships. She talks about art, love, fashion, parties and more, blending her mesmerizing on-screen personality with a wise-beyond-her-years insight on life, fame, and identity. Sedgwick's magnetic presence and charisma carry the film, marking her as a star in Warhol's Factory.

An essential component of the movie's unique style is the almost complete lack of conventional action or drama. Instead, the focus is on character, atmosphere, and mood. It's the simple and mundane moments in Edie's life, her thoughts and feelings, that constitute the narrative of the film.

'Poor Little Rich Girl' is not purely about presenting the real-life Edie to the viewer; it is about Edie's relationship with herself and her environment, and how she projects and perceives herself within a societal framework. It explores the contrast between Sedgwick's public and private personas, the experiences that shape her life, and her understanding of her identity in an environment where she is both admired and misinterpreted.

The movie provides an opportunity to observe Edie as she truly was, multi-dimensional and complicated, far beyond the public image. Despite its lack of explicit storytelling, the film possesses a deep narrative undercurrent that presents a compelling comment on fame, wealth, and the human condition.

Although 'Poor Little Rich Girl' may be seen as experimental and non-traditional in its storytelling, its exploration of the female creature in her habitat has a universal appeal. It symbolizes the struggle of every individual trying to live authentically in a world preoccupied with constructed identities.

The film requires an open mind from its audience, as the impact and meaning will be greatly dependent on one's perspective. Through Warhol's lens, the audience gets to experience Sedgwick's world, her glamour, loneliness, and vulnerability. Through this experience, viewers may gain a deeper understanding of the human condition, beyond the superficiality often projected in mainstream media.

Altogether, 'Poor Little Rich Girl' can be seen as a poetic slice of life, a film that challenges convention and explores the beauty in the ordinary—a true testament to Andy Warhol's iconoclastic approach to cinema and art.