May December, a film loosely inspired by the real-life story of Mary Kay Letourneau and her relationship with her student, Vili Fualaau, is a disturbing yet thought-provoking drama that explores the complex themes of power, manipulation, and the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator.
The film centers on Gracie Atherton-Yu (Julianne Moore), a former teacher who had a scandalous affair with her 13-year-old student, Joe (Charles Melton), now in his 20s. Years later, Gracie is approached by Elizabeth Berry (Natalie Portman), an actress who is determined to make a film about their relationship. As Elizabeth delves deeper into Gracie’s past, the lines between reality and fiction become blurred, forcing both women to confront the truth about their own lives.
Moore delivers a tour-de-force performance as Gracie, a woman grappling with the consequences of her past actions. She is both vulnerable and manipulative, capable of both kindness and cruelty. Portman is equally compelling as Elizabeth, an ambitious actress who is not afraid to push boundaries.
The film is beautifully shot, with a dreamlike quality that reflects the hazy nature of memory and the subjective experience of truth. The score is also noteworthy, adding to the film’s unsettling atmosphere.
Despite its strengths, May December is not an easy film to watch. It is both disturbing and morally ambiguous, leaving the audience to grapple with difficult questions about consent, forgiveness, and the nature of truth.
Critical Reception
May December has received mixed reviews from critics. Some have praised the film for its performances, direction, and exploration of complex themes, while others have found it to be slow, pretentious, and exploitative.
Audience Reception
Audience reactions to May December have been similarly divided. Some viewers have found the film to be thought-provoking and challenging, while others have found it to be disturbing and exploitative.
Overall, May December is a well-made but challenging film that is not for everyone. It is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll, forcing you to confront difficult questions about the nature of truth, power, and the boundaries of consent.
Top Casts in May December
Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman is an Israeli-American actress who has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. She is known for her work in a variety of films, including “Black Swan,” “V for Vendetta,” and the “Star Wars” prequel trilogy. In May December, Portman plays Elizabeth Berry, an ambitious actress who is determined to make a film about Gracie Atherton-Yu’s relationship with her student.
Julianne Moore
Julianne Moore is an American actress who has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Emmy Awards. She is known for her work in a variety of films, including “Still Alice,” “Crazy Heart,” and “Magnolia.” In May December, Moore plays Gracie Atherton-Yu, a former teacher who had a scandalous affair with her 13-year-old student.
Charles Melton
Charles Melton is an American actor and model who is known for his work in the television series “Riverdale” and “The Flash.” In May December, Melton plays Joe, the former student of Gracie Atherton-Yu who is now in his 20s.
Other Similar Movie Recommendations
- Lolita (1962): A classic film adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov’s novel about a middle-aged man who becomes obsessed with a 12-year-old girl.
- The Reader (2008): A German drama about a young man who has an affair with an older woman who is later revealed to be a former Nazi concentration camp guard.
- American Beauty (1999): A dark comedy-drama about a suburban father who has a midlife crisis and begins to lust after his teenage daughter’s friend.
- The Graduate (1967): A classic film about a young man who is seduced by his girlfriend’s mother.
- Manhattan (1979): A Woody Allen-directed comedy-drama about a 42-year-old man who falls in love with a 17-year-old girl.
- Harold and Maude (1971): A black comedy-drama about an 18-year-old boy who falls in love with a 79-year-old woman.
- Lost in Translation (2003): A drama about an aging actor and a young woman who form an unlikely bond while in Tokyo.
- Rear Window (1954): A suspense thriller about a wheelchair-bound man who believes he has witnessed a murder in his apartment building.
- Little Women (1994): A classic coming-of-age story about four sisters during the American Civil War.
These films all explore similar themes to May December, such as the power dynamics between adults and minors, the complexities of consent, and the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator. They are all well-made and thought-provoking films that are sure to stay with you long after the credits roll.
Questions about the film’s plot and characters:
What is the film’s central conflict?
The film’s central conflict revolves around the past relationship between Gracie Atherton-Yu (Julianne Moore) and her former student, Joe (Charles Melton). Gracie is haunted by her past actions and is wary of the attention that Elizabeth Berry (Natalie Portman), an actress who wants to make a film about their relationship, is bringing to her life.
How does the film explore the theme of manipulation?
The film explores the theme of manipulation through the character of Elizabeth Berry, who uses her own charm and charisma to get what she wants from Gracie. Elizabeth is also manipulative in the way that she frames Gracie’s story, portraying her as a victim when in reality she was a perpetrator.
How does the film challenge the audience’s perceptions of truth?
The film challenges the audience’s perceptions of truth by presenting multiple perspectives on Gracie’s story. Gracie herself is an unreliable narrator, and Elizabeth’s film version of events is also subjective. The film ultimately suggests that truth is a complex and fluid thing.
Questions about the film’s execution and style:
How does the film’s use of dreamy visuals and a haunting score contribute to its overall atmosphere?
The film’s use of dreamy visuals and a haunting score helps to create a sense of unease and disorientation. The visuals are often hazy and indistinct, reflecting the characters’ own clouded memories and perceptions. The score is similarly unsettling, with its discordant strings and unsettling melodies.
How do the performances of Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore contribute to the film’s impact?
Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore deliver both powerful and nuanced performances in their respective roles. Portman’s Elizabeth Berry is both charming and manipulative, while Moore’s Gracie Atherton-Yu is vulnerable and guarded. Their performances help to bring the film’s complex characters to life.
What is the film’s overall message?
The film’s overall message is that the truth is often complex and ambiguous. There are no easy answers to the questions that the film raises about power, manipulation, and consent. The film ultimately leaves it up to the audience to decide what they believe.
These are just a few of the many questions that the film May December raises. It is a thought-provoking and challenging film that is sure to stay with you long after the credits roll.
