If it weren’t for the movie Palm Springs and Power Lines, 2023’s May December would probably take the cake as the most disturbing film of the year. Yet, even with how tough the film’s subject matter is to swallow, it still ends up being impressively gripping, engaging, campy and even comedic at moments.
May December follows the story of Elizabeth Barry, an actress played wonderfully by the incredible Natalie Portman, as she arrives in Savannah, Georgia to study characters for a new role in a movie. The characters in question are Gracie Atherton-Yoo (Julianne Moore) and Joe Yoo (Charles Melton in a career-defining performance), a seemingly normal couple in the unassuming town. But here lies the not-so-secret about this family. When Joe was 13 and Gracie was 36, they began a sexual relationship that ended up with her in jail and then the two of them having children together and starting a family.
This explicit relationship is the center focus of the film’s plot, obviously inspired by the true story of Mary Kay Letourneau. And the filmmakers, including director Todd Haynes, do a tremendous job of creating anxiety when there practically is none. There’s no surprise murder, there’s no traps for the protagonist to escape from. Just the way the characters deal with the truly disturbing reality of the situation.
I have to admit, going into May December, I was totally not ready for what the film would be dealing with. I think this is in part to the logline, which reads: “Twenty years after their notorious tabloid romance, a married couple buckle under the pressure when a Hollywood actress meets them to do research for a film about their past.” It didn’t fully capture what the essence of the film is, and I was totally kicked off my feet when I realized what I was watching.
Yet, none of that matters because of how good the acting is here. Each of the main three cast members are incredibly solid and believable. This only adds to how chilling the story really is. Charles Melton is absolutely phenomenal however, and shines above even the likes of legendary actresses Portman and Moore. What Melton is able to do to convey the innocence of what is essentially a child that lost his childhood in every scene is gripping. From body language to dialogue, I was hooked on him every second he was on screen. Also, supporting the main three actors were solid performances from everyone in the supporting cast, who convey the disgust, confusion, guilt, and more of the situation and how it affected the people around Gracie and Joe.
The one big thing I wasn’t too keen on in May December, however, was the music. It felt way too campy for me. Some people have expressed how much they enjoy it. For me, it felt too much like Goosebumps and didn’t really match the story being told.
Final Thoughts
May December is one of those films that is just hard to watch, but truly fulfilling when you do. The subject matter is difficult but it’s the performances of the entire main cast, especially Charles Melton, who really shine. That alone makes this film worth watching by a mile.
