You know that meme with the dog who’s sitting in a burning building, drinking coffee and saying “this is fine,” even though everything clearly isn’t? The characters in this movie seem to have that mentality.
“May December,” the latest film from director Todd Haynes, takes inspiration from the case of Mary Kay Letourneau, a teacher who raped her 12-year-old, sixth grade student, Vili Fualaau, and later gave birth to his child. The two were eventually married after her prison sentence.
Those individuals were the basis for Julianne Moore’s Gracie and Charles Melton’s Joe. The film takes place many years after the affair between the married couple began, and centers on an actress, Elizabeth (Natalie Portman), who is visiting Gracie and Joe to prepare for her portrayal of the former in an independent film.
This new movie on Netflix is a challenging, uncomfortable experience because of the subject matter, and due to how much it feels like things have been swept under the rug or painted over. As stated in the lead, many of the characters in the movie act like the situation is OK, and it’s clearly not.
The result is a film that effectively explores people who lie to themselves, manipulate others, and how this can lead to greater emotional trauma. Additionally, Haynes and screenwriter Samy Burch infuse the movie with high camp by having sophisticated filmmaking and melodramatic moments like those out of a soap opera.
In doing so, “May December” not only portrays the damage caused by abusers, but also uses satire to take jabs at tabloid culture and dramatization of scandals without care for victims. Additionally, the movie, through Portman’s character, showcases how method acting can cross lines and the disturbing nature of true crime obsession.
Making a lot of this succeed on screen is the moral bankruptcy of the lead characters, who are both portrayed very well by the main actresses. Both Portman and Moore show why they’re Academy Award winners here, each giving a strong performance as women who manipulate to get their way.
Portman’s ability to show her character crossing boundaries for the sake of her art and inability to reflect on the problematic situation is commendable. As is Moore’s portrayal of a woman who can’t, or won’t, acknowledge the disturbing reality of her life.
Nearly stealing the show in many scenes, though, is Melton, who’s impressive as the character Joe. He is fantastic at portraying a character who’s been groomed for much of his life and continued to be used by people around him, as is shown when he gets to know Elizabeth.
“May December” is a film that mostly works thanks to its cast, direction and writing, but it doesn’t work for the whole runtime. The film starts rather slowly and there are a few lulls where the movie feels somewhat empty. Plus, the campiness and attempts at dark humor don’t always work.
Overall, though, it’s a well made film with biting social commentary. When it gets to some of the heavier scenes later in the film, it really reaches a high tier. 4.25 out of 5.
Matthew Liedke on Film 
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