![Actress Julianne Moore leaving a press conference at TIFF [May December]](https://www.empowordjournalism.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/21203227750_84c7c8b362_k-e1709315887579-1035x425.jpg)
Elizabeth Campbell
Content Warning: This article contains mentions of sexual assault.
Based on the Mary Kay Letourneau scandal, Netflix’s Oscar-nominated May December (2023) is the latest screenplay from director Todd Haynes.
The film depicts a paedophilic relationship that began when the infamous Gracie (Julianne Moore) pursued 13-year-old Joe (Charles Melton) at a pet store where they both worked.
May December (2023) dir. Todd Haynes pic.twitter.com/3Qb87i3saU
— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) February 24, 2024
UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS
Twenty years after the much-publicised scandal, the movie follows famous actor Elizabeth Berry (Natalie Portman) as she seeks to learn more about Gracie’s life and the way her mind works. She is interested in portraying Gracie and telling their story.
Elizabeth remains respectful to Gracie during her character research, yet she continuously pushes to uncover the uncomfortable truths of their forbidden relationship. Gracie, with her childlike lisp, seems to be comedically absorbed by her own delusions and maintains this façade of a happy life. “I am naive, I always have been. In a way it’s been a gift,” she says.
In contrast, Joe is subdued and almost absent from conversation.
TWO BECOME ONE
Haynes’ effective use of reflections throughout May December corresponds with the mirroring behaviours of Gracie and Elizabeth, as two become one. As an audience, we are voyeurs, observing them in the same way they observe each other. An intimate mirror scene between the two shows Gracie applying her makeup as Elizabeth observes closely, mirroring her mannerisms and analysing her every movement.
“She is an unreliable character and has a morally skewed vision of her relationship”
This façade gradually breaks down and Gracie’s neurotic insecurities and frequent meltdowns begin to become apparent. She is an unreliable character and has a morally skewed vision of her relationship.
POWERFUL PERFORMANCES
Melton’s performance begins as a slow burner, but concludes as one of the most heartfelt.
Joe’s character arc includes the moment he comes of age. He is initially quiet, but when he becomes aware of his victimhood, he voices this in a much-anticipated conversation with Gracie. At one point in the movie, Joe poignantly questions, “What if I was too young?”
can't stop thinking about charles melton's performance in may december – he's like a nervous guest in his own home, the way he employs mannerisms to convey joe's inner turmoil is insane, you can see a boy who got his childhood stolen away in every scene
— alina 寧 (@lambfigurines) February 24, 2024
This dynamic of an older woman with a younger boy is, thankfully, not fetishised or glamorised in any way, as Hollywood has a tendency to do.
Overall, Haynes manages to explore the immorality of this perverse and predatory relationship in a refreshingly light-hearted way.
May December has also won the thoroughly deserved Best First Screenplay award at the Indie Spirit Awards for Samy Burch’s screenplay.
READ MORE:
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FILM REVIEW: ‘RUPTURE DIVINE’ (2018)
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ONE DAY: BACK TO BREAK MY HEART AGAIN
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WHY HARLAN COBEN’S FOOL ME ONCE HAD US FOOLED
Featured image courtesy of Peter Kudlacz via Flickr. No changes were made to this image. Image licence can be found here.
