Factory Girl (R, 2007)

The film chronicles Edie Sedgwick's (Sienna Miller) mid-'60s days with artist Andy Warhol (Guy Pearce) and his Factory, a glam Manhattan loft where artist misfits partied and made underground movies (some of which were pornographic). As light and happy as Sedgwick appears -- prancing around in leotards and tights, with her infectious laugh and her love of art and friends -- she reveals a dark past through painful stories. Born to a wealthy, blue-blooded family, Sedgwick grew up afraid of her father's sexual advances and with no support from her chilly mother. What's more, she had to deal with her brother's suicide and being admitted to a mental hospital. Given all that, it comes as no surprise to watch Sedgwick drink excessively, experiment casually with drugs, and get hooked on heroin. Warhol is painted as a monster as he watches this deeply troubled young woman slip slowly into a black hole. It's well-documented that Sedgwick knew Bob Dylan, but in the film she becomes involved with a prophet-like folk musician known as Billy Quinn (Hayden Christensen). (Apparently Dylan's people threatened to sue if he was mentioned.) Quinn tries to pry Sedgwick away from Warhol, and though she's tempted, she can't escape the Factory's clutches. This starts her downward spiral, which is accompanied by some of the film's saddest scenes -- graphic images of Sedgwick being injected in her bruised bottom, drugged, and taken advantage of by other junkies. Warhol further punishes her with an almost-rape scene in one of his movies.

Any parent who knows anything about the life of Edie Sedgwick will know that FACTORY GIRL isn't a film for kids -- or even teens. Filmed partially in black and white, Factory Girl jumps chaotically from scene to scene, sometimes just showing snippets, as Sedgwick spins out of control. Viewers who don't know how her story ends may feel hopeful viewing Sedgwick narrate her '60s experiences during a rehab therapy session -- she looks softer without her characteristic black eyeliner, tights, and mini skirt. But as with much of Sedgwick's life, looks can be deceiving.

The film is hard enough to watch for adults who are already familiar with this era and these figures -- teens may think they're getting a movie about a fashion, art and glamour, but they'll emerge feeling disturbed, fooled, and upset.

Studio: Weinstein Co.
Director: George Hickenlooper
Cast: Guy Pearce, Hayden Christensen, Sienna Miller
Genre: Drama
Run time: 91 minutes
Theatrical release: February 8, 2007
DVD release: June 19, 2007
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: nudity, drug use, language, sexual content.