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| director = [[George Hickenlooper]]
| director = [[George Hickenlooper]]
| cinematography = Michael Grady
| music = [[Edward Shearmur]]
| editing = [[Dana E. Glauberman]]
| editing = [[Dana E. Glauberman]]
| producer = Aaron Richard Golub <br />Holly Wiersma
| producer = Aaron Richard Golub <br />Holly Wiersma
| studio = Lift Productions<ref name="afi">https://catalog.afi.com/Film/63802-FACTORY-GIRL?sid=8832d818-ec3b-4551-924e-d2d67ee5f6b6&sr=10.225749&cp=1&pos=0</ref>
| studio = Lift Productions<ref name="afi">{{Cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/63802-FACTORY-GIRL?sid=8832d818-ec3b-4551-924e-d2d67ee5f6b6&sr=10.225749&cp=1&pos=0|title=AFI&#124;Catalog|website=Catalog.afi.com|access-date=November 15, 2021}}</ref>
| distributor = [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] <br />[[The Weinstein Company]]<ref name="afi" />
| distributor = [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] <br />[[The Weinstein Company]]<ref name="afi" />
| released = {{Film date|2006|12|29}}
| released = {{Film date|2006|12|29}}
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}}
}}


'''''Factory Girl''''' is a 2006 American [[biographical film]] directed by [[George Hickenlooper]]. It is based on the rapid rise and fall of 1960s [[underground film]] star and socialite [[Edie Sedgwick]] (played by [[Sienna Miller]]), known for her [[Warhol superstar|association]] with the artist [[Andy Warhol]] ([[Guy Pearce]]).
'''''Factory Girl''''' is a 2006 American [[biographical film]] directed by [[George Hickenlooper]]. It is based on the rapid rise and fall of 1960s [[underground film]] star and socialite [[Edie Sedgwick]] ([[Sienna Miller]]), known for her [[Warhol superstar|association]] with the artist [[Andy Warhol]] ([[Guy Pearce]]).


The film premiered in Los Angeles on December 29, 2006 to largely negative reviews from critics, who nonetheless praised Miller's performance as Sedgwick.
The film premiered in Los Angeles on December 29, 2006, to largely negative reviews from critics, who nonetheless praised Miller's performance as Sedgwick.


==Plot==
==Plot==
The film is framed by [[Edie Sedgwick]] ([[Sienna Miller]]) being interviewed in a hospital several years after her time as an [[Warhol superstar|Andy Warhol superstar]].
The film is framed by [[Edie Sedgwick]] being interviewed in a hospital several years after her time as an [[Warhol superstar|Andy Warhol superstar]].


In the mid 1960s, Edie is a young heiress studying art in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]]. She moves to [[New York City]] with her friend, [[Chuck Wein]] ([[Jimmy Fallon]]). She is introduced to [[pop art]] painter and film-maker [[Andy Warhol]] ([[Guy Pearce]]), who is intrigued by the beautiful, clearly troubled socialite. He asks her to perform in one of his underground, [[experimental films]]. She agrees and goes on to star in several of Andy's projects, becoming his [[Muse#Modern use|muse]].
In the mid 1960s, Edie is a young heiress studying art in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]]. She moves to [[New York City]] with her friend, [[Chuck Wein]]. She is introduced to [[pop art]] painter and film-maker [[Andy Warhol]], who is intrigued by the beautiful, clearly troubled socialite. He asks her to perform in one of his underground [[experimental films]]. She agrees and goes on to star in several of Andy's projects, becoming his [[Muse#Modern use|muse]].


She and Chuck become part of the tightly-knit, bohemian social scene at Andy's famous art studio, [[the Factory|the Silver Factory]]. Edie's status as a Warhol superstar and rising [[youthquake (movement)|youthquake]] fashion model earn her fame and international attention. The success, however, fails to ease her psychological issues. Although descended from a prestigious family lineage and raised on an idyllic, California ranch, Edie was [[sexual abuse|sexually abused]] by her father during childhood. She has been further shaken by the fairly recent death of her favorite brother, Minty. Her trauma manifests itself in [[Shopping addiction|uncontrolled spending]], poor money management and a burgeoning drug habit.
She and Chuck become part of the tightly knit bohemian social scene at Andy's art studio, [[the Factory|the Silver Factory]]. Edie's status as a Warhol superstar and rising [[youthquake (movement)|youthquake]] fashion model earn her fame and international attention. The success fails to ease her psychological issues. Although descended from a prestigious family lineage and raised on an idyllic California ranch, Edie was [[sexual abuse|sexually abused]] by her father during childhood. She has been further shaken by the fairly recent death of her favorite brother, Minty. Her trauma manifests itself in [[Shopping addiction|uncontrolled spending]], poor money management and a burgeoning drug habit.


Edie's Cambridge friend, Syd ([[Shawn Hatosy]]), visits her in New York City and introduces her to folk singer Billy Quinn ([[Hayden Christensen]]), a character based on [[Bob Dylan]].<ref name="Dylan's got it wrong about my movie, says Sienna" /> Edie and Billy begin a relationship, which causes Andy to become jealous. Edie attempts to make peace between the two men by arranging a screen test for Billy at Andy's Factory. When Billy and his posse arrive, they act disrespectfully towards Andy. Billy and Edie fight and he tells her that Andy is a "bloodsucker" who will "kill" her. She tearfully responds that she "can't hate him." Realizing that she has chosen Andy over him, Billy leaves her.
Edie's Cambridge friend, Syd visits her in New York City and introduces her to folk singer Billy Quinn, a character based on [[Bob Dylan]].<ref name="Dylan's got it wrong about my movie, says Sienna" /> Edie and Billy begin a relationship, which causes Andy to become jealous. Edie attempts to make peace between the two men by arranging a screen test for Billy at Andy's Factory. When Billy and his posse arrive, they act disrespectfully towards Andy. Billy and Edie fight and he tells her that Andy is a "bloodsucker" who will "kill" her. She tearfully responds that she "can't hate him." Realizing that she has chosen Andy over him, Billy leaves her.


Edie's worsening drug addiction begins taking its toll. Her relationship with Andy deteriorates and she becomes a [[Outcast (person)|pariah]] among the Factory crowd. One night, while in a drug-induced stupor, she falls asleep with a lit cigarette and nearly dies in the ensuing apartment fire. ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]'', which once championed her as the newest [[It girl|"it" girl]], now refuses to hire her; editor [[Diana Vreeland]] ([[Illeana Douglas]]) explains that Edie is considered "vulgar" due to her current lifestyle.
Edie's worsening drug addiction begins taking its toll. Her relationship with Andy deteriorates and she becomes a [[Outcast (person)|pariah]] among the Factory crowd. One night, while in a drug-induced stupor, she falls asleep with a lit cigarette and nearly dies in the ensuing apartment fire. ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]'', which once championed her as the newest [[It girl|"it" girl]], now refuses to hire her; editor [[Diana Vreeland]] explains that Edie is considered "vulgar" due to her current lifestyle.


When Syd visits Edie again, she is barely conscious and is being filmed naked by three strangers in her apartment. Syd kicks the men out and looks after Edie. He gets them a taxi and shows her a photo of herself back in Cambridge. He says she inspired him back then and she can be an artist once more. Edie, deeply upset at how far she's fallen, gets out of their cab and runs frantically down the street.
When Syd visits Edie again, she is barely conscious and is being filmed naked by three strangers in her apartment. Syd kicks the men out and looks after Edie. He gets them a taxi and shows her a photo of herself back in Cambridge. He says she inspired him back then and she can be an artist once more. Edie, deeply upset at how far she's fallen, gets out of their cab and runs frantically down the street.
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* [[Johnny Whitworth]] as Silver George
* [[Johnny Whitworth]] as Silver George
* [[Brian Bell]] as [[Lou Reed]]
* [[Brian Bell]] as [[Lou Reed]]
* [[Patrick Wilson (musician)|Patrick Wilson]] as [[John Cale]]
* [[Patrick Wilson (drummer)|Patrick Wilson]] as [[John Cale]]
* Michael Stephens as [[Sterling Morrison]]
* Michael Stephens as [[Sterling Morrison]]
* [[Samantha Maloney]] as [[Maureen Tucker]]
* [[Samantha Maloney]] as [[Maureen Tucker]]
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==Controversy==
==Controversy==
[[Lou Reed]], singer/songwriter of [[the Velvet Underground]] and one of the Factory people who knew Sedgwick, hated the film. He told the ''[[New York Daily News]]'', "I read that script. It's one of the most disgusting, foul things I've seen – by any illiterate retard – in a long time. There's no limit to how low some people will go to write something to make money... They're all a bunch of whores."<ref>{{cite web|first=Martha|last=Fischer|url=http://www.cinematical.com/2006/08/19/factory-girl-oscar-material-for-sienna-miller|title=Factory Girl: Oscar Material for Sienna Miller?|website=Cinematical|date=August 19, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/dec/15/popandrock.bobdylan|title=Dylan Threatens Action Over Sedgwick Biopic|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=December 15, 2006}}</ref>
[[Lou Reed]], singer-songwriter of [[the Velvet Underground]] and one of the Factory people who knew Sedgwick, hated the film. He told the ''[[New York Daily News]]'', "I read that script. It's one of the most disgusting, foul things I've seen – by any illiterate retard – in a long time. There's no limit to how low some people will go to write something to make money."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/dec/15/popandrock.bobdylan|title=Dylan Threatens Action Over Sedgwick Biopic|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=December 15, 2006}}</ref>


[[Bob Dylan]] threatened to sue, saying through his lawyers that the script insinuated his responsibility in Sedgwick's drug abuse and death.<ref>Yuan, Jada. "[http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/27368/ The Freewheelin' Hayden]". ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]''. February 5, 2007.</ref> Although the name of the character in question was changed to Billy Quinn, Dylan still attempted to halt the film's release. Sienna Miller defended the film against Dylan's allegations, saying in an interview with the Guardian, "It blames Warhol more than anyone, because he did abandon her...there was a friendship there, she needed help and no one helped her. It's not that Dylan drove her to heroin addiction."<ref name="Dylan's got it wrong about my movie, says Sienna"/>
[[Bob Dylan]] threatened to sue, saying through his lawyers that the script insinuated his responsibility in Sedgwick's drug abuse and death.<ref>Yuan, Jada. "[http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/27368/ The Freewheelin' Hayden]". ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]''. February 5, 2007.</ref> Although the name of the character in question was changed to Billy Quinn, Dylan still attempted to halt the film's release. Sienna Miller defended the film against Dylan's allegations, saying in an interview with the Guardian, "It blames Warhol more than anyone, because he did abandon her...there was a friendship there, she needed help and no one helped her. It's not that Dylan drove her to heroin addiction."<ref name="Dylan's got it wrong about my movie, says Sienna"/>

Sedgwick’s brother Jonathan claimed that Dylan got her pregnant during their relationship, and that she had an abortion.<ref>{{cite news|first=Richard|last=Johnson|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/01022007/gossip/pagesix/pagesix.htm|title=My Sister Edie Loved Dylan|newspaper=New York Post|date=January 2, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104183718/http://www.nypost.com/seven/01022007/gossip/pagesix/pagesix.htm |archive-date=January 4, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Olivia|last=Cole|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2534786.html|title=Warhol Muse 'Lost Baby by Dylan'|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times]]|date=January 7, 2007}}</ref>


==Production==
==Production==
The film was set back by numerous delays, including a lawsuit by [[Sony Pictures]], as well as the schedules of Miller and Pearce, so additional shooting was delayed until mid November 2006.<ref>Juarez, Vanessa. "[http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,1569855_1|119871||0_0_,00.html Working 'Girl': The Studio Behind 'Factory Girl' Pushes Oscar]". ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. January 8, 2007.</ref> Consequently, producer [[Harvey Weinstein]] had to postpone the release date. Additionally, according to director [[George Hickenlooper]], the budget was once expected to be $8 million, but ended up being less than $7 million.<ref name="junket">Stewart, Ryan. [http://www.cinematical.com/2007/01/31/junket-report-factory-girl/ ''Junket Report: Factory Girl''] [http://www.cinematical.com Cinematical] January 31, 2007.</ref>
The film was set back by numerous delays, including a lawsuit by [[Sony Pictures]], as well as the schedules of Miller and Pearce, so additional shooting was delayed until mid November 2006.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Juarez |first=Vanessa |date=January 8, 2007 |title=The studio behind ''Factory Girl'' pushes Oscar |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/01/08/studio-behind-factory-girl-pushes-oscar/ |access-date=October 8, 2022}}</ref> Consequently, producer [[Harvey Weinstein]] had to postpone the release date. Additionally, according to director [[George Hickenlooper]], the budget was once expected to be $8 million, but ended up being less than $7 million.<ref name="junket">{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Ryan |date=January 31, 2007 |title=Junket Report: Factory Girl |url=http://www.cinematical.com/2007/01/31/junket-report-factory-girl/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204034152/http://www.cinematical.com/2007/01/31/junket-report-factory-girl/ |archive-date=February 4, 2007 |access-date=February 27, 2007 |website=Cinematical}}</ref>


Hickenlooper helmed the additional shoots and mixed the final cut of the film in New York City, where he worked in close collaboration with Weinstein.<ref name=factoryman>Rapkin, Mickey. "[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/24/fashion/24nite.html?ref=fashion Factory Man]". ''[[The New York Times]]''. December 24, 2006.</ref> Weinstein released the picture on December 29, 2006 in Los Angeles. Because the post production schedule was so delayed, Hickenlooper continued to sound edit the film after its initial release.<ref name="factoryman" /> The film received a nationwide release on February 2, 2007.
Hickenlooper helmed the additional shoots and mixed the final cut of the film in New York City, where he worked in close collaboration with Weinstein.<ref name=factoryman>Rapkin, Mickey. "[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/24/fashion/24nite.html?ref=fashion Factory Man]". ''[[The New York Times]]''. December 24, 2006.</ref> Weinstein released the picture on December 29, 2006, in Los Angeles. Because the post production schedule was so delayed, Hickenlooper continued to sound edit the film after its initial release.<ref name="factoryman" /> The film received a nationwide release on February 2, 2007.


During the fall of 2008, Hickenlooper uploaded a rough director's cut of the film to YouTube now referred to as "The Unseen Director’s Cut." Due to the Weinstein Company's ownership of the footage and the material not being authorized for release, it was removed from the website.<ref name="Factory Girl Unseen Director's Cut">{{cite journal |title=Factory Girl Unseen Director's Cut |date=April 2011 |url=http://unseenfactorygirl.tumblr.com/ |access-date=July 22, 2017}}</ref>
During the fall of 2008, Hickenlooper uploaded a rough director's cut of the film to YouTube now referred to as "The Unseen Director's Cut". Due to the Weinstein Company's ownership of the footage and the material not being authorized for release, it was removed from the website.<ref name="Factory Girl Unseen Director's Cut">{{cite web |title=Factory Girl Unseen Director's Cut |date=April 2011 |url=http://unseenfactorygirl.tumblr.com/ |access-date=July 22, 2017 |via=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref>


===Casting===
===Casting===
[[Katie Holmes]] was set to star as Sedgwick, but it was reported [[Tom Cruise]] convinced Holmes not to do it because it would be bad for her image. Regarding the rumors, Holmes said, "I declined the role in ''Factory Girl'' based on my own decisions about the movie."<ref>[[Anwar Brett|Brett, Anwar]]. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2005/06/15/katie_holmes_batman_begins_interview.shtml ''Movies, An Interview with Katie Holmes] [[BBC]]. June 15, 2005.</ref> The role then went back to Miller. However, Holmes had also stated that even if she did take the part, she would have had to drop out because she was pregnant when the movie was set to begin filming.
[[Katie Holmes]] was set to star as Sedgwick, but it was reported [[Tom Cruise]] convinced Holmes not to do it because it would be bad for her image. Regarding the rumors, Holmes said, "I declined the role in ''Factory Girl'' based on my own decisions about the movie."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brett |first=Anwar |date=2005-06-15 |title=BBC – Movies – interview – Katie Holmes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2005/06/15/katie_holmes_batman_begins_interview.shtml |access-date= |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> The role then went back to Miller. However, Holmes had also stated that even if she did take the part, she would have had to drop out because she was pregnant when the movie was set to begin filming.

===Filming locations===
New York City, Toronto, [[Stamford, Connecticut]], and [[Shreveport, Louisiana]] served as the filming locations.


==Release==
==Release==
===Home Media===
===Home media===
The film was released on [[DVD]] by the [[Weinstein Company]] on July 17, 2007. It contains the Unrated Extended Edition of the film.
The film was released on [[DVD]] by the [[Weinstein Company]] on July 17, 2007. It contains the Unrated Extended Edition of the film.


A [[Blu-ray]] version of the film has yet to be released in the US. The film debuted on Blu-ray in [[Canada]] on March 8, 2011 in a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. It contains the Unrated Cut.<ref>https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Factory-Girl-Blu-ray/19457/</ref>
The film debuted on Blu-ray in [[Canada]] on March 8, 2011, in a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. It contains the Unrated Cut.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Factory-Girl-Blu-ray/19457/|title=Factory Girl Blu-ray (Unrated &#124; Portrait D'Une Muse) (Canada)|access-date=November 15, 2021|website=Blu-ray.com}}</ref>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
''Factory Girl'' received generally negative reviews, but Sienna Miller's performance as Edie Sedgwick was met with critical acclaim. Johnny Vaughan from ''Sun'' Online concluded that "It's Sienna Miller's star that shines brightest in this heartbreaking cautionary tale." ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine described ''Factory Girl'' as "A brave bid to recreate a modern American tragedy, with a revelatory turn by its lead actress." [[Richard Roeper]] said "I think Sienna Miller does a really nice job of capturing Edie Sedgwick, who really was the fore-runner to [[Paris Hilton]] and a lot of other people who are just [[famous for being famous]]." [[Mick LaSalle]] from ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' said "Miller gets old and used up before our eyes, and we not only see it, we see what it means to experience it. This is a movie about power, and its spectacle is that of a woman losing all of it."{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}
''Factory Girl'' received generally negative reviews, but Sienna Miller's performance as Edie Sedgwick was met with critical acclaim. Johnny Vaughan from ''Sun'' Online concluded that "It's Sienna Miller's star that shines brightest in this heartbreaking cautionary tale." ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine described ''Factory Girl'' as "A brave bid to recreate a modern American tragedy, with a revelatory turn by its lead actress."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=William |date=2007-01-23 |title=Factory Girl |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/factory-girl-review/ |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=Empire}}</ref> [[Mick LaSalle]] from ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' said "Miller gets old and used up before our eyes, and we not only see it, we see what it means to experience it. This is a movie about power, and its spectacle is that of a woman losing all of it."<ref>{{Cite web |last=LaSalle |first=Mick |date=2007-02-09 |title=FILM CLIPS / Also Opening Today |url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/FILM-CLIPS-Also-Opening-Today-2618750.php |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>


Stella Papamichael wrote for the [[BBC]]: "In all it's an unconvincing portrait, and as the Dylan clone says, "Empty, like one of those cans of soup...".<ref name="Papamichael-13-03-2007">{{cite web|last=Papamichael|first=Stella|title=Factory Girl (2007)|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2007/03/12/factory_girl_2007_review.shtml |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070312162154/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2007/03/12/factory_girl_2007_review.shtml |url-status= dead |archive-date= March 12, 2007 |work=BBC Movies, 13 March 2007|publisher=BBC|access-date=November 28, 2011}} </ref> Trevor Johnston for ''[[Time Out (company)|Time Out]]'' wrote "One wonders whether the documentary format would have better served the material than this ill-focused drama. Since real-life family and observers chime in over the end credits, perhaps the filmmakers were thinking the same thing."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Johnston |first=Trevor |title=Factory Girl review |journal=Time Out London |date=March 14–20, 2007 |issue=1908 |url=http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/84075/Factory_Girl.html |access-date=November 28, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022115342/http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/84075/factory_girl.html |archive-date=October 22, 2010 |df=mdy }}</ref> In ''[[The Guardian]]'', Peter Bradshaw gave the film two out of five stars and said; "Edie Sedgwick's story is sad, but never appears important or interesting."<ref>{{cite news|last=Bradshaw|first=Peter|title=Factory Girl|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/mar/16/drama|access-date=November 28, 2011|newspaper= [[The Guardian]] |date=March 16, 2007}}</ref> Jim Lewis of ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'' felt the film didn't do justice to Warhol's artistic accomplishments and concluded, "Factory Girl isn't just a bad movie, it's a 90-minute insult to the culture it pretends to be capturing."<ref>{{cite journal |last= Lewis |first= Jim |title= A Very Nasty Portrait of the Artist: How Factory Girl insults Andy Warhol. |journal= Slate |date= February 7, 2007 |url= http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2007/02/a_very_nasty_portrait_of_the_artist.html |access-date= July 22, 2017 }}</ref>
Stella Papamichael wrote for the [[BBC]]: "In all it's an unconvincing portrait, and as the Dylan clone says, "Empty, like one of those [[Campbell's Soup Cans|cans of soup]]...".<ref name="Papamichael-13-03-2007">{{cite web |last=Papamichael |first=Stella |title=Factory Girl (2007) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2007/03/12/factory_girl_2007_review.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312162154/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2007/03/12/factory_girl_2007_review.shtml |archive-date=March 12, 2007 |access-date=November 28, 2011 |work=BBC}}</ref> Trevor Johnston for ''[[Time Out (company)|Time Out]]'' wrote "One wonders whether the documentary format would have better served the material than this ill-focused drama. Since real-life family and observers chime in over the end credits, perhaps the filmmakers were thinking the same thing."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Johnston |first=Trevor |title=Factory Girl review |journal=Time Out London |date=March 14–20, 2007 |issue=1908 |url=http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/84075/Factory_Girl.html |access-date=November 28, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022115342/http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/84075/factory_girl.html |archive-date=October 22, 2010 |df=mdy }}</ref> In ''[[The Guardian]]'', Peter Bradshaw gave the film two out of five stars and said; "Edie Sedgwick's story is sad, but never appears important or interesting."<ref>{{cite news|last=Bradshaw|first=Peter|title=Factory Girl|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/mar/16/drama|access-date=November 28, 2011|newspaper= [[The Guardian]] |date=March 16, 2007}}</ref> Jim Lewis of ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'' felt the film didn't do justice to Warhol's artistic accomplishments and concluded, "''Factory Girl'' isn't just a bad movie, it's a 90-minute insult to the culture it pretends to be capturing."<ref>{{cite journal |last= Lewis |first= Jim |title= A Very Nasty Portrait of the Artist: How Factory Girl insults Andy Warhol. |journal= Slate |date= February 7, 2007 |url= http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2007/02/a_very_nasty_portrait_of_the_artist.html |access-date= July 22, 2017 }}</ref>


On [[Rotten Tomatoes]] the film has an approval rating of 20% based on reviews from 114 critics. The websites' consensus states "Despite a dedicated performance by Sienna Miller, ''Factory Girl'' delves only superficially into her character, and ultimately fails to tell a coherent story."<ref>{{cite web |title= Factory Girl |website= [[Rotten Tomatoes]] |url= http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/factory_girl/ |access-date= April 20, 2020 }}</ref><ref name="Papamichael-13-03-2007" /> On [[Metacritic]] the film has a score of 45% based on reviews from 27 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web |title= Factory Girl |url= https://www.metacritic.com/movie/factory-girl |website= [[Metacritic]] |access-date= April 20, 2020 }}</ref>
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of 20%, based on reviews from 114 critics. The websites' consensus states "Despite a dedicated performance by Sienna Miller, ''Factory Girl'' delves only superficially into her character, and ultimately fails to tell a coherent story."<ref>{{cite web |title= Factory Girl |website= [[Rotten Tomatoes]] |url= http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/factory_girl/ |access-date= April 20, 2020 }}</ref><ref name="Papamichael-13-03-2007" /> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a score of 45, based on reviews from 27 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web |title= Factory Girl |url= https://www.metacritic.com/movie/factory-girl |website= [[Metacritic]] |access-date= April 20, 2020 }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0432402|title=Factory Girl}}
* {{IMDb title|0432402}}
* {{Mojo title|factorygirl}}
* {{Mojo title|factorygirl}}


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[[Category:2006 films]]
[[Category:2006 films]]
[[Category:2006 biographical drama films]]
[[Category:2006 biographical drama films]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:American biographical drama films]]
[[Category:American biographical drama films]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:Films directed by George Hickenlooper]]
[[Category:Films directed by George Hickenlooper]]
[[Category:Films scored by Edward Shearmur]]
[[Category:Films about socialites]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1960s]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1960s]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1970s]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1970s]]
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[[Category:Films shot in Toronto]]
[[Category:Films shot in Toronto]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Andy Warhol]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Andy Warhol]]
[[Category:2006 independent films]]
[[Category:2006 drama films]]
[[Category:2006 drama films]]
[[Category:Biographical films about models]]
[[Category:Biographical films about models]]
[[Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films]]
[[Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films]]
[[Category:The Weinstein Company films]]
[[Category:The Weinstein Company films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:English-language biographical drama films]]
[[Category:English-language independent films]]

Latest revision as of 17:06, 21 November 2024

Factory Girl
Directed byGeorge Hickenlooper
Screenplay byCaptain Mauzner
Story byCaptain Mauzner
Aaron Richard Golub
Produced byAaron Richard Golub
Holly Wiersma
Starring
CinematographyMichael Grady
Edited byDana E. Glauberman
Music byEdward Shearmur
Production
company
Lift Productions[1]
Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
The Weinstein Company[1]
Release date
  • December 29, 2006 (2006-12-29)
Running time
99 minutes
CountryUnited States
Budget$7 million[2]
Box office$3.6 million

Factory Girl is a 2006 American biographical film directed by George Hickenlooper. It is based on the rapid rise and fall of 1960s underground film star and socialite Edie Sedgwick (Sienna Miller), known for her association with the artist Andy Warhol (Guy Pearce).

The film premiered in Los Angeles on December 29, 2006, to largely negative reviews from critics, who nonetheless praised Miller's performance as Sedgwick.

Plot

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The film is framed by Edie Sedgwick being interviewed in a hospital several years after her time as an Andy Warhol superstar.

In the mid 1960s, Edie is a young heiress studying art in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She moves to New York City with her friend, Chuck Wein. She is introduced to pop art painter and film-maker Andy Warhol, who is intrigued by the beautiful, clearly troubled socialite. He asks her to perform in one of his underground experimental films. She agrees and goes on to star in several of Andy's projects, becoming his muse.

She and Chuck become part of the tightly knit bohemian social scene at Andy's art studio, the Silver Factory. Edie's status as a Warhol superstar and rising youthquake fashion model earn her fame and international attention. The success fails to ease her psychological issues. Although descended from a prestigious family lineage and raised on an idyllic California ranch, Edie was sexually abused by her father during childhood. She has been further shaken by the fairly recent death of her favorite brother, Minty. Her trauma manifests itself in uncontrolled spending, poor money management and a burgeoning drug habit.

Edie's Cambridge friend, Syd visits her in New York City and introduces her to folk singer Billy Quinn, a character based on Bob Dylan.[3] Edie and Billy begin a relationship, which causes Andy to become jealous. Edie attempts to make peace between the two men by arranging a screen test for Billy at Andy's Factory. When Billy and his posse arrive, they act disrespectfully towards Andy. Billy and Edie fight and he tells her that Andy is a "bloodsucker" who will "kill" her. She tearfully responds that she "can't hate him." Realizing that she has chosen Andy over him, Billy leaves her.

Edie's worsening drug addiction begins taking its toll. Her relationship with Andy deteriorates and she becomes a pariah among the Factory crowd. One night, while in a drug-induced stupor, she falls asleep with a lit cigarette and nearly dies in the ensuing apartment fire. Vogue, which once championed her as the newest "it" girl, now refuses to hire her; editor Diana Vreeland explains that Edie is considered "vulgar" due to her current lifestyle.

When Syd visits Edie again, she is barely conscious and is being filmed naked by three strangers in her apartment. Syd kicks the men out and looks after Edie. He gets them a taxi and shows her a photo of herself back in Cambridge. He says she inspired him back then and she can be an artist once more. Edie, deeply upset at how far she's fallen, gets out of their cab and runs frantically down the street.

The scene transitions to the film's opening framing device of the hospital interview several years later. Edie tells the interviewer that to "stay off the drugs" is going to be a battle every day, that she is pursuing art again and is glad to be home in Santa Barbara, California. The closing captions explain that in her last few years Edie continued in her struggle with dependency. Her short marriage to a fellow patient ended when she died of a barbiturate overdose at the age of 28.

Meanwhile, in New York City, Andy is interviewed the day after Edie died in 1971. When the interviewer asks about her and Andy's "breakup," Andy becomes visibly uncomfortable but manages to complete his thought that it was just so long ago and he hardly knew her at all.

Cast

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Controversy

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Lou Reed, singer-songwriter of the Velvet Underground and one of the Factory people who knew Sedgwick, hated the film. He told the New York Daily News, "I read that script. It's one of the most disgusting, foul things I've seen – by any illiterate retard – in a long time. There's no limit to how low some people will go to write something to make money."[4]

Bob Dylan threatened to sue, saying through his lawyers that the script insinuated his responsibility in Sedgwick's drug abuse and death.[5] Although the name of the character in question was changed to Billy Quinn, Dylan still attempted to halt the film's release. Sienna Miller defended the film against Dylan's allegations, saying in an interview with the Guardian, "It blames Warhol more than anyone, because he did abandon her...there was a friendship there, she needed help and no one helped her. It's not that Dylan drove her to heroin addiction."[3]

Production

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The film was set back by numerous delays, including a lawsuit by Sony Pictures, as well as the schedules of Miller and Pearce, so additional shooting was delayed until mid November 2006.[6] Consequently, producer Harvey Weinstein had to postpone the release date. Additionally, according to director George Hickenlooper, the budget was once expected to be $8 million, but ended up being less than $7 million.[2]

Hickenlooper helmed the additional shoots and mixed the final cut of the film in New York City, where he worked in close collaboration with Weinstein.[7] Weinstein released the picture on December 29, 2006, in Los Angeles. Because the post production schedule was so delayed, Hickenlooper continued to sound edit the film after its initial release.[7] The film received a nationwide release on February 2, 2007.

During the fall of 2008, Hickenlooper uploaded a rough director's cut of the film to YouTube now referred to as "The Unseen Director's Cut". Due to the Weinstein Company's ownership of the footage and the material not being authorized for release, it was removed from the website.[8]

Casting

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Katie Holmes was set to star as Sedgwick, but it was reported Tom Cruise convinced Holmes not to do it because it would be bad for her image. Regarding the rumors, Holmes said, "I declined the role in Factory Girl based on my own decisions about the movie."[9] The role then went back to Miller. However, Holmes had also stated that even if she did take the part, she would have had to drop out because she was pregnant when the movie was set to begin filming.

Release

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Home media

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The film was released on DVD by the Weinstein Company on July 17, 2007. It contains the Unrated Extended Edition of the film.

The film debuted on Blu-ray in Canada on March 8, 2011, in a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. It contains the Unrated Cut.[10]

Critical reception

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Factory Girl received generally negative reviews, but Sienna Miller's performance as Edie Sedgwick was met with critical acclaim. Johnny Vaughan from Sun Online concluded that "It's Sienna Miller's star that shines brightest in this heartbreaking cautionary tale." Empire magazine described Factory Girl as "A brave bid to recreate a modern American tragedy, with a revelatory turn by its lead actress."[11] Mick LaSalle from San Francisco Chronicle said "Miller gets old and used up before our eyes, and we not only see it, we see what it means to experience it. This is a movie about power, and its spectacle is that of a woman losing all of it."[12]

Stella Papamichael wrote for the BBC: "In all it's an unconvincing portrait, and as the Dylan clone says, "Empty, like one of those cans of soup...".[13] Trevor Johnston for Time Out wrote "One wonders whether the documentary format would have better served the material than this ill-focused drama. Since real-life family and observers chime in over the end credits, perhaps the filmmakers were thinking the same thing."[14] In The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw gave the film two out of five stars and said; "Edie Sedgwick's story is sad, but never appears important or interesting."[15] Jim Lewis of Slate felt the film didn't do justice to Warhol's artistic accomplishments and concluded, "Factory Girl isn't just a bad movie, it's a 90-minute insult to the culture it pretends to be capturing."[16]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 20%, based on reviews from 114 critics. The websites' consensus states "Despite a dedicated performance by Sienna Miller, Factory Girl delves only superficially into her character, and ultimately fails to tell a coherent story."[17][13] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 45, based on reviews from 27 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[18]

References

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  1. ^ a b "AFI|Catalog". Catalog.afi.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Stewart, Ryan (January 31, 2007). "Junket Report: Factory Girl". Cinematical. Archived from the original on February 4, 2007. Retrieved February 27, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c Smith, David (December 30, 2006). "Dylan's got it wrong about my movie, says Sienna". The Guardian. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  4. ^ "Dylan Threatens Action Over Sedgwick Biopic". The Guardian. December 15, 2006.
  5. ^ Yuan, Jada. "The Freewheelin' Hayden". New York. February 5, 2007.
  6. ^ Juarez, Vanessa (January 8, 2007). "The studio behind Factory Girl pushes Oscar". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Rapkin, Mickey. "Factory Man". The New York Times. December 24, 2006.
  8. ^ "Factory Girl Unseen Director's Cut". April 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2017 – via Tumblr.
  9. ^ Brett, Anwar (June 15, 2005). "BBC – Movies – interview – Katie Holmes". BBC.
  10. ^ "Factory Girl Blu-ray (Unrated | Portrait D'Une Muse) (Canada)". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  11. ^ Thomas, William (January 23, 2007). "Factory Girl". Empire. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  12. ^ LaSalle, Mick (February 9, 2007). "FILM CLIPS / Also Opening Today". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  13. ^ a b Papamichael, Stella. "Factory Girl (2007)". BBC. Archived from the original on March 12, 2007. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  14. ^ Johnston, Trevor (March 14–20, 2007). "Factory Girl review". Time Out London (1908). Archived from the original on October 22, 2010. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  15. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (March 16, 2007). "Factory Girl". The Guardian. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  16. ^ Lewis, Jim (February 7, 2007). "A Very Nasty Portrait of the Artist: How Factory Girl insults Andy Warhol". Slate. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  17. ^ "Factory Girl". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  18. ^ "Factory Girl". Metacritic. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
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