“May December” is an Oscar-worthy masterclass in manipulation culture

Todd Haynes’ drama explores moral gray areas: with Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore as female characters who mirror each other and shy away from nothing.

Two women who stalk, eavesdrop, lie and use each other. This is what “May December” is about – among other things. The title of the film refers to something completely different: “May December” is a common expression in America for the love relationship between people with a large age difference. May symbolizes people in the spring of life, while December represents the opposite pole.

Joe (Charles Melton) was just 13 when he fell in love with married 36-year-old Gracie (Julianne Moore). A scandal only arose when the two were caught red-handed making love. She then left her husband and children head over heels for him before she was put behind bars for “fornication with minors”.

Forbidden love

For the tabloid press of the 1990s, this was an illicit love story a found treat. Especially when Gracie gave birth to her first child with Joe in prison.

Fortunately, the film only serves the spicy tabloid fodder as an amusement gueule before the much more sophisticated main course. The plot of “May December” is set in 2015. Gracie and Joe are still a couple and have now raised three children when actress Elizabeth (Natalie Portman) enters their lives.

The Hollywood star visits the two for research. After all, she should play Gracie in her next film and do it as authentically as possible. “I want to tell the story properly,” she says to the now 59-year-old, with whom at first glance she doesn’t have much in common either physically or in terms of character.

Surprising comedy

To highlight the differences between his main characters, director Todd Haynes has the two women stand together in front of a mirror. While applying make-up together, the two carefully feel each other out – looking for possible similarities.

Legend:

How do you do your makeup? Elizabeth (Natalie Portman) really wants to know everything from Gracie (Julianne Moore).

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My parents always thought I was too smart to “just” become an actress, says Elizabeth, who knew her calling even as a girl. “My mother wrote a book about epistemic relativism,” says the academic daughter with a self-confident mixture of pride and mockery. To which Gracie replies, completely naively and with a lisping voice: “My mother wrote a recipe for blueberry casserole.”

Director Todd Haynes is known for his ability to lay it on thick with gusto and wit. Nevertheless, it was not to be expected that he would give this story full of false leads the characteristics of a self-deprecating soap opera. The ever-evolving melodramatic music in particular contributes a lot to the comedy, which the film knows how to draw from the contrast between pathos and mischief.

Absolutely Oscar-worthy

Todd Haynes dares significantly more with “May December” than with his award-winning masterpieces such as “Carol” or “Far From Heaven”. Consequently, not everyone appreciates his most recent directorial work, which only received an Oscar nomination in the “Best Original Screenplay” category.

Legend:

Do I already have a lisp as well as her? Elizabeth (Natalie Portman) looks at herself with a critical eye.

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“The film is so creepy that it’s strange to find it good,” said a valued professional colleague. I, on the other hand, find it strange to find Haynes’ artful mirroring of two ambivalent women “creepy”.

Because for me the only ones that are really scary are the two main actresses: incredibly good.

Cinema release: February 22, 2024