May December Review: ” is a daringly self-aware, mischievously funny, and emotionally complex drama that refuses to fit into simple categorizations. Directed by Todd Haynes and penned by newcomer Samy Burch, the film skillfully blends movie-of-the-week tropes with psychological depths, creating a unique piece that keeps the viewer on edge.
The narrative follows actor Elizabeth Barry (Natalie Portman), who spends time with the real person she’s portraying in a film, Gracie Atherton-Yoo (Julianne Moore). Gracie, arrested at 36 for a relationship with a 12-year-old boy, is now married to Joe (Charles Melton), and they have three kids. The film explores their unconventional journey, challenging the viewer with uncomfortable questions about trust, likability, and truth.
Haynes, known for melodramas like “Carol” and “Far From Heaven,” nods to the aesthetics of tabloid-inspired Lifetime fare in “May December.” The film features a dramatic score, adding a layer of intensity and humor. Portman’s character, Elizabeth, driven to uncover Gracie’s truth, plays with the celebrity card, creating a delightful and unnerving parody of stardom and the actor’s process.
Gracie remains elusive, constantly subverting expectations. Private moments reveal her complexity, and Moore and Portman deliver electric performances, their characters engaging in a performative dance. While their excellence is expected, Melton surprises with a heartrending portrayal of Joe. His understated performance, depicting a 36-year-old father still evolving, adds soul to the scandalous and campy narrative.
“May December,” releasing in theaters on Nov. 17 and streaming on Dec. 1, is a daring exploration of truth, celebrity, and the human condition. Rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use, and language, the film, with a runtime of 117 minutes, earns three and a half stars out of four.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Is May December worth watching?
May December is a psychological drama that is both funny and unsettling. It’s been hailed as one of the top dramas of the decade. This film is expected to become a cult classic, so be sure to watch it before you miss out on all the buzz.
What is the point of the May December movie?
May December delves into the complex and personal concept of truth and how we see things, leaving audiences uncertain whether to react with amusement or disapproval towards the characters. The focus of the film is Gracie and Joe’s unconventional bond, which began when she was 36 and he was just 13, all seen through Elizabeth’s twisted viewpoint.
Is May December based on a true story?
May December is a story loosely inspired by the real-life events of American teacher Mary Kay Letourneau, who started a romantic relationship with her sixth-grade student Vili Fualaau. Despite facing multiple periods of imprisonment, Letourneau ultimately married Fualaau. The teacher worked in Seattle, Washington, and in 1996, she was discovered in a car with Fualaau.
What is May December about summary spoilers?
Elizabeth, a television actor, is on a quest for emotional authenticity in the film “May December.” She visits Gracie, the woman she is portraying, who was imprisoned for statutory rape in the 90s and later married the young man she was rumored to have loved.