[Review] May December
May December draws inspiration from real people and events but re-imagines a series of characters and incidents. Through the process of an actress named Elizabeth (Natalie Portman) preparing for a role, the film observes the family of two individuals at the center of a past scandal, Gracie and Joe (Julianne Moore and Charles Melton), from a very intimate perspective. The movie primarily pieces together the everyday lives of these two individuals, along with snippets of their interactions with family and friends. While these moments might seem trivial, the film employs a dramatically charged score, intimate camerawork, and visual storytelling to elevate them. Notably, scenes like Gracie's daughter trying on wedding dresses and the two female leads applying makeup effectively use mirrors to represent the complex relationship between them, leaving a particularly strong impression.
The most outstanding aspect of this film lies in its character portrayal. Julianne Moore's character, Gracie, as the subject of scrutiny, possesses an elusive personality, appearing sometimes fragile and sometimes sharp-tongued. The audience is left guessing her true nature, as well as her thoughts and feelings about the events, until the very last moment. Julianne Moore skillfully navigates the different facets of this role, showcasing a wide range of her acting abilities.
With two celebrated actresses leading the cast, it's natural for attention to focus on them. However, the character that resonated most with me was Joe. His three conversations in the film—with his father, his son, and Elizabeth—are all deeply meaningful. Joe became the focus of media and societal attention in his teens due to his relationship with Gracie, and he has been a father ever since, seemingly never having experienced a typical adolescence. Casting the physically imposing and mature-looking Charles Melton as Joe creates a stark contrast with the character's true inner self—he is still a child inside. While shouldering the responsibilities of fatherhood and watching his children grow up, he himself remains quite naive, not yet fully grasping the adult world. A statement from Elizabeth is particularly impactful, completely shifting his perspective. In his conversation with his son, we see the vulnerable, childlike side beneath his strong exterior, making us lament the childhood he lost. As the children leave home one by one to embark on the next stage of their lives, isn't Joe also at a similar juncture? Having fulfilled his paternal duties, he is only just beginning to explore the adult world. How will he live his life now? Can he, as his father suggests, start a new chapter? We witness Joe's transformation in the film, and simultaneously, we witness Charles Melton's transformation as an actor.
Synopsis:
After their relationship ignited a tabloid saga two decades ago, Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe (Charles Melton) now lead a seemingly perfect suburban life. Their domestic bliss is disrupted when Elizabeth (Natalie Portman), a famous television actress, arrives in their tight-knit community to research her upcoming role as Gracie. As Elizabeth ingratiates herself into the everyday lives of Gracie and Joe, the uncomfortable facts of their scandal unfurl, causing long-dormant emotions to resurface.
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Photo and Source: Netflix