The film chronicles Edie's life from leaving college, headed for the glamour of New York City, through her years spent in Andy Warhol's infamous "Factory", to her descent into the world of hardcore drugs, to her lonely death at the age of 28.

I can't comment on the accuracy of events in this film... There may have been a lot of poetic licence taken in "Factory Girl".  But if what is presented is true, then Edie's life is a haunting tale of childhood abuse transposing into willing self-abuse as an adult.  She harmed herself with drugs... and, perhaps even more detrimental, she allowed others to use her as a commodity for their own successes.  Edie is portrayed as a loving and charming personality who was more attached to others than they truly were to her.

This is especially true of Andy Warhol, played to perfection by the great Guy Pearce.  He was a strange man, almost Michael Jackson-like by today's odd standards, whose pop-culture legacy is cemented in soup cans.  His most famous quote, that of "fifteen minutes of fame" is most appropriate when referring to Edie -- his muse and his supposed friend.  "Factory Girl" prefers to suggest that Andy had asexual loving feelings for her and felt betrayed when she began to see other men.  His abrupt disposal of her is shown to have escalated her drug problems and her financial downfall.

The divine Sienna Miller in "Factory Girl"

The "other man" in this film is Billy Quinn (Hayden Christensen) -- an overt reference to Bob Dylan.  Obviously, there is a legal issue that prevented the filmmakers from directly going that route.  Still, there is no doubt who it is intended to be.

It is in that section of the film that everything grinds to a halt.  I was fascinated by Sienna Miller's Edie.  I was mesmerized by the oddity of Guy Pearce's Andy.  Unfortunately, I was floored by one of the worst performances I have ever seen in a major motion picture when Hayden Christensen attempts a Bob Dylan impression.  Those scenes, when Bob Dylan (ahem... Billy Quinn) is luring Edie away from the "Factory" scene and trying to convince her of the error of her ways, are the downfall of this otherwise terrific film.  Christensen mumbles and dribbles off the screen like a whiny, zit-faced teenager begging to be taken seriously.  He is an emotionless lump that anchors this intriguing film for much of the second act.

Still, I am going to end with some terrific plusses... The story is naturally engaging.  One cannot help but feel for the girl despite all her flaws.  She is one of those girls that you just want to wrap your arms around and protect... from herself and others.

The direction is rhythmic and efficient.  My only qualm would be the casting of the aforementioned Christensen.  Everything else in "Factory Girl" is gorgeously evocative of the era.  It looks and sounds fantastic.

Guy Pearce is one of those actors who truly immerses himself in his roles.  He becomes Andy Warhol with every fibre of his being.  It is a superb transformation.

Sienna Miller as Edie Sedgwick.

Saving the best for last... A jaw-droppingly brilliant effort by Sienna Miller, an actress who has been terrific in many minor roles over the past half-decade.  As Edie, she simultaneously creates a naively angelic and devilish coy figure who deserves our sympathy, yet merits our disappointment.  It is one of the finer performances of the decade, evoking laughs and tears and leaving us wondering what might have been if Edie had been given another chance.  Sienna Miller is the primary reason to see this film.  She proves that she isn't just the fashion icon of our time or the girl that Jude Law insanely cheated on.  She isn't just the paparazzi's favorite target now that Princess Diana is gone.  She isn't just a pristine beauty. Sienna Miller is an actress with depth and soul and talent and courage.  If this role is anything to go by, she is going to be doing great work for years to come.

"Factory Girl" is definitely worth seeing, despite a glaring zit right at the tip of its nose.  Were it not for Christensen's dire attempt at acting, this would be one of the ten best films of the year.  As it stands, it is a desperately sad portrait, a condemnation of the culture of celebrity, a fascinating glimpse inside the "Factory" itself... and a special acting display from both Pearce and Miller.  It is a very, very, very good film that falls just short of greatness because of one egregious mistake.

Is this a 2006 or a 2007 film?

Well, the policy for our site is to use the first date that the film played in US theatres to a paying public, not including film festivals.  Only every now and then do problems arise with this policy... usually in regards to foreign language movies that qualify for Oscars in one year, but get released in the US the following year.

In the case of "Factory Girl"... it was released on a very limited basis on December 29th, 2006.  It went wide in February of 2007.  However, it was almost as though there was a change of heart by the studio with this film and it has commonly been accepted as a 2007 film by many.  I have made a decision to consider it a 2007 film, thus not appearing on my Top Films of 2006 List.  It will be on my 2007 list.

Apologies for any confusion.