[3] According to Checkoway, the film was originally supposed to be a heartwarming love story about America's oldest interracial newlyweds, aged 96 and 95, who married after ten years together.

However, the story took a turn when the happy couple was forcibly separated by a court order, mandating that Edith go live with her daughter in Florida.

“The legal guardianship system was not on my radar before making this film, and so we learn that Edith's rights have been put in the hands of someone who is appointed by the court who doesn't know her.

They come to find out that this is happening to elders all across the country.” Reporter Judith Graham of The Washington Post presented more details from the perspective of the other participants in the story.

[19] Thomas Grimshaw from the Londan Short Film Festival Programme called it "one of the finest observational documentaries of the year.

"[22] Paul Booth of Talking Pictures raved that Edith and Eddie is "All of the things we look for in a film... challenging, universal... a gift of love and compassion.

"[23] Matt Turner from Shooting People said the film was "...gripping the viewer for the duration and building something genuinely beautiful out of tragedy.

"[24] Norman Wilner of Now Toronto said of the film, "In just half an hour, Edith+Eddie captures so much about love, aging and infirmity–and speak volumes about America's issues with elder care and guardianship.

"[25] Stephen Saito of the Moveable Feast wrote, "As wrenching as Edith+Eddie becomes, it still resonates most immediately as an intimate portrait of two people whose company you will come to prize as much as they clearly do each other’s..."[26] Jordan M. Smith of NonFics.com called the film, "Devastating...

It is the mix of incredible access and a willingness to embrace a story’s shrewdly synthesized structure, running the gamut from unbelievable fantasy to unbearable nightmare.

"[29] Additionally, Aarik Danielson of the Columbia Tribune said the film was "capturing the beauty of a pure love unfazed, at least by the people inside it, by race or age.