film

In a mesmerizing blend of raw performances and unnerving storytelling, May December delivers an experience that lingers long after the credits roll. The cast, led by Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore and Charles Melton’s riveting portrayals is for sure going to sweep some awards this season. The plot is loosely inspired by the controversial Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau case. Disturbingly, this film draws you into its compelling narrative with its eerie atmosphere and tension that feel akin to one, amplified by Todd Haynes’ masterful direction. Portman’s character Elizabeth is an actress who is trying to prepare for a role for a future true crime movie by getting awfully close to her study objects, Gracie (Julianne Moore) and her husband Joe (Charles Melton). Piece by piece, we learn the horrifying details of what occurred in this marriage. Todd Haynes’ film tries to critique the true crime entertainment industry while ironically drawing the audience into its own exploration of the same subject matter. Like previously mentioned, the cast of this film delivers incredible performances that feel real and haunting. While we are actually seeing adults in a very serious situation, it feels like we’re watching kids in adult bodies – deliberately and involuntarily. Natalie Portman has a memorable monologue in this, representing the lack of empathy that actors in the industry often have when faced with roles based on true crime events. Melton in particular stands out with his meticulous mannerisms and carefully chosen body language symbolising stolen innocence. While the acting in May December is horrifyingly realistic to the tragic true story its based on, the music and the color coding remind you of a cheery 80s sitcom, which may be why this movie is often seen as camp or even going as far as calling it a comedy. Through the symbolism of the monarch butterfly, a hobby of Joe’s, the film manages to tell us more about what he goes through – starting off as caterpillars and transforming into one of the rarest butterflies until they can finally be free. This is something Joe relates to and works as a direct parallel to his situation. Gracie however constantly dismisses the butterflies as bugs, downplaying their struggles and uniqueness. The film captures the loss of time and sentiments of trauma and abuse in a way that stays with you even after a couple days of having seen it. With its deliberate anticlimactic and unsettling ending, May December stays true to the harsh realities of lives like Joe’s, where justice often eludes those failed by systems and society. The film is currently streaming on Netflix.