Factory Girl is a 2006 American film directed by George Hickenlooper, based on the rapid rise and fall of 1960s underground film star and socialite, Edie Sedgwick.
Edie Sedgwick (Sienna Miller) is a young heiress studying art in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She moves to New York City, where she is introduced to pop art painter and film-maker Andy Warhol (Guy Pearce). Intrigued by the beautiful socialite, he asks her to perform for him. Soon she is spending time with him at the Factory, his studio and also the hangout of a group of eccentrics, some of them drug addicts. Her status as a Warhol superstar and success as a fashion model earn her popularity and international attention, but soon, fame starts to take its toll on her.
This film contains examples of:
- Depraved Homosexual: Andy Warhol was portrayed in this manner (by Guy Pearce!), so much so that one reviewer
referred to the character as "Andy Warhol, or, as this film wants you to know him, Darth Warhol." - Downer Ending: Edie dies from a drug overdose just four months after marrying another patient in rehab.
- Drugs Are Bad: As addiction takes its toll, Edie's relationship with Andy deteriorates, and this ends up being what brings about her downfall.
- Fallen-on-Hard-Times Job: By the time another Warhol Superstar sees Edie again after Edie has her fallout with Andy, she has become a prostitute.
- Green-Eyed Monster: Andy Warhol becomes jealous when Edie begins her affair with Billy.
- Invisible Celebrity Guest: Mick Jagger arrives at one of Warhol's parties, filmed briefly and entirely from the back of his head while everyone coos about him being there.Agony Booth: Look, everyone! The back of Mick Jagger's head has arrived!
- No Celebrities Were Harmed: Poet/singer Billy Quinn (Hayden Christensen) is obviously based on Bob Dylan: The shades, the haircut, the folk poetry background, you name it. His appearance in this story is based on Edie Sedgwick's brother Jonathan's claim that his sister had an affair with Dylan. Dylan threatened to sue the filmmakers, saying through his lawyers that the script insinuated that he was responsible in Sedgwick's drug abuse and death.
- Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll: This is a film set in The '60s that involves Andy Warhol's Factory; you can be sure that all three appear here.
