Mary Kay Letourneau
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| Mary Kay Letourneau |
May December isn't
directly based on a real story, but it's loosely inspired by the real-life
relationship between Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau, which made headlines
in the 1990s. Letourneau, a teacher, had a sexual relationship with her
underage student and later married him. The film explores the moral and social
complexities of such a controversial relationship.
A 2023 psychological drama film directed by Todd Haynes, who co-wrote the screenplay with Sami Burch, based on a story by Burch and Alex Mechanik, May December stars Natalie Portman as Elizabeth, an actress who travels to Georgia to meet and immerse herself in the life of Gracie (Julianne Moore), a controversial woman who married her former student Joe (Charles Melton) when he was 17 and she was 44. After serving jail time for statutory assault, Gracie is still married to Joe, despite their 20-year age gap and public scrutiny.
Elizabeth, who's set
to portray Gracie in a film adaptation of her memoir, becomes increasingly
fixated on Gracie. While still married to Joe, Elizabeth also develops a
physical attraction to him, leaving him conflicted and anxious about his role
as husband and father. Gracie, volatile and insecure, sees Elizabeth as a
threat and rival, attempting to manipulate and control her.
The film also delves
into the perspectives of Gracie and Joe's children, who grapple with their own
identities and relationships, as well as the reactions of the media and public,
who are either intrigued or repulsed by the couple.
May December is a film
that challenges conventional notions of love, morality, and character, exposing
the dark and twisted side of human nature. It's brimming with humor, drama, and
tension, keeping the audience guessing and captivated by the characters and
their intentions.
Haynes, known for his
whimsical and provocative films like Far from Heaven (2002), Carol (2015), and
Dark Waters (2019), brings his signature visual and storytelling flair to the
story, creating a film that's both contemporary and unsettling. He also
incorporates elements of Southern Gothic and noir, giving the film a distinct
atmosphere and tone.
Mary Kay Letourneau
The film benefits from a stellar cast led by Portman and Moore, who deliver captivating and nuanced performances as Elizabeth and Gracie respectively. Portman, who also produced the film, portrays Elizabeth as a complex and conflicted character driven by curiosity, ambition, desire, but also compassion, responsibility, and fear. Moore, reuniting with Haynes after Far from Heaven and Safe (1995), depicts Gracie as a charming and manipulative figure who's both a victim and a villain, resisting the generalizations of a middle-aged woman. Melton, best known for his role in the TV series Riverdale, delivers a nuanced performance as Joe, torn between his loyalty to Gracie and his fascination with Elizabeth, struggling with his identity and choices. The supporting cast, including Corey Michael Smith, DW Moffett, Flautisa Cortez, Elizabeth Yu, and Gabriel Chung, also offer strong performances as the family members and companions of the main characters.
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| Mary Kay Letourneau |
I particularly liked:
The performances of Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, both acclaimed actresses who have worked with director Todd Haynes before.
· The exploration of the themes of age
gap, media scrutiny, and character, which are relevant and
complex issues in contemporary society.
However, I disliked:
·
The realistic and disturbing portrayal of
sexual abuse, child assault, and pedophilia, which are some of
the content warnings for the film. I found these scenes difficult to watch
and ethically dubious.
· The ambiguity and confusion that the film creates by constantly leaving the audience in the dark about what's real and what's fabricated by the characters. I would have preferred a clearer and more direct narrative that doesn't rely on unreliable narrators.
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| Mary Kay Letourneau |
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