Natalie Portman tries to steal Julianne Moore’s life in a psychological drama by the director of Carol and Far from Heaven, Todd Haynes.
Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe (Charles Melton) seem to be a happy couple who live in a big but cosy house with a swimming pool and are bringing up their kids. Today, the large age difference doesn’t bother anyone, but 20 years ago the relationship between a 36-year-old woman and a 13-year-old boy caused a huge scandal. Two decades later, a film is planned about this story and actress Elizabeth Berry (Natalie Portman), who is going to play Gracie, asks the couple’s permission to get involved in their life in order to find out more about her character. This «invasion» will lead to unexpected consequences and reveal the longstanding wounds on which the external well-being of this family is based.
May December is an expression that describes a relationship involving a large age gap, where «May» symbolizes youth and new beginnings and «December» fading away and cold. Todd Haynes’ film, which was shown in the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, is a precise and uncompromising story of past traumas that cannot possibly form the basis of a stable future. Thematically linked in many ways to Bergman’s Persona, Haynes’ film goes further. It is a caustic dissection of a relationship built on lies and manipulation, a satire about actors’ key methods of preparation, and a subtle and smart film about ruined ideals and stolen youth. Another draw of this film is the performance of Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, two of today’s leading film actresses. Their contradictory screen duet is compelling right to the final credits.
The film will be shown in English with Russian subtitles.
May December
Director Todd Haynes
USA, 2023, 117 min. 18+