Movie Review: ‘May December’

Todd Haynes’ latest film explores a controversial issue yet sometimes slides into a strange tone that doesn’t fit with the rest of the movie.

(L to R) Natalie Portman as Elizabeth Berry and Julianne Moore as Gracie Atherton-Yoo in 'May December.' Photo: Francois Duhamel / courtesy of Netflix.

Premiering on Netflix December 1st, ‘May December’ is the new dramatic film from Todd Haynes, who reunites once again with Julianne Moore. This time, Natalie Portman joins for a complicated story of truth, reputation, perception and performance.

Haynes, as ever, is a reliable filmmaker for a female-fronted story of controversial passion (he handled the subject delicately and winningly with ‘Carol’), but here it’s as if he also gives in to a notion of melodrama that doesn’t always work, and a distracting score choice doesn’t help that.

Is ‘May December’ one to mark your calendar about?

(L to R) Natalie Portman as Elizabeth Berry with Julianne Moore as Gracie Atherton-Yoo in 'May December.' Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.

With Haynes, Moore and Portman driving the film, there remains something watchable and compelling about the movie, with the leads (along with an impressive Charles Melton) keeping your attention as the story dives towards its conclusion.

But a few off-putting elements ring somewhat false in the tale as a whole, and this is certainly a movie that will divide audiences. How you react may depend on your viewpoint on the subjects under Haynes’ microscope here, and how much sympathy you have for any of the characters.

‘May December’: Script and Direction

(L to R) Natalie Portman as Elizabeth, Julianne Moore as Gracie, Todd Haynes (Director) on the set of 'May December.' Photo: François Duhamel / Courtesy of Netflix.

The screenplay for ‘May December’ is by Samy Burch, working from a story she created with Alex Mechanik. Though the roots are found in the real-life story of Mary Kay Letourneau, a schoolteacher who was convicted of child sexual abuse of the 12-year-old (Vili Fualaau) who was among her students. Letourneau ended up having his child while awaiting sentencing and they married when she was released from prison.

‘May December’ is not a 1-1 adaptation of that story (it is, at best, “loosely based”) but Burch has certainly included plenty of elements, including a moment inspired by a controversial TV appearance of the couple where Fualaau is badgered into saying he initiated the relationship. Those power dynamics run through the script, though it also layers on plenty of emotional instability, particularly in the character of Gracie (Moore), who, it is slowly revealed to have some severe issues. Well, we say slowly, but the signs are there from the start, especially in an exclamation about hot dogs that has gone on to be much-quoted, with the story leaving such little clues in the open.

Haynes, meanwhile, chooses some unusual ways of ramping up the drama, including the use of score cues from 1971 movie ‘The Go-Between’ (adapted by composer Marcelo Zarvos), which he employs effectively. Yet there remains a lingering issue with the tone of the movie, one that feels ill-fitting for the morally problematic story at its core. A story of child abuse isn’t perhaps the best foundation for a nudge-wink story of egos, deception and emotional breakdowns –– no matter how artistically used they might be.

Also slightly awkward is the crammed-in metaphor of butterflies, which Gracie’s husband Joe (Charles Melton) nurtures –– they’re a decent character beat for him, but they feel like a giant neon sign pointing to the nature of his and Gracie’s relationship.

‘May December’: Performances

(L to R) Julianne Moore as Gracie Atherton-Yoo with Natalie Portman as Elizabeth Berry in 'May December.' Photo: François Duhamel / Courtesy of Netflix.

Julianne Moore naturally shines when she’s working with Haynes, who directed her to an Oscar nomination via ‘Far From Heaven’. As Gracie, she’s a complicated mix of personalities, a seemingly together member of the community who hides a torrent of different feelings and could snap at any moment.

Moore walks that line with aplomb, and if the script doesn’t always support her, she’s never less than committed.

Portman, meanwhile, is also great, though she’s somewhat saddled with the vaguely cliched role of the actor searching for inspiration who pushes things too far in the name of research. Elizbeth has her own checkered past, and moral conflicts, and while some of her moves are predictable (a late turn liaison in particular), Portman rounds out the role.

In a smaller but still important role, Charles Melton is impressive as Joe, who seems to have matured into a perfect husband, but is revealed to have a mountain of hang-ups and issues spawned from how their relationship began.

Around the leads, the various children of the main couple are all believable, while special mention must go to Cory Michael Smith as Georgie, Gracie’s first born, who is now a cynical musician. As he starts to lobby for a role in the movie that Elizabeth will star in about Gracie and Joe’s story, he becomes more and more manipulative.

‘May December’: Final Thoughts

(L to R) Julianne Moore as Gracie Atherton-Yoo and Natalie Portman as Elizabeth Berry in 'May December.' Photo: Francois Duhamel / courtesy of Netflix.

‘May December’ will certainly not be for everyone. Haynes has delivered a typically well-crafted drama here, but the subject matter sometimes slips from his fingers despite solid performances from the cast.

It just feels like the tone is misjudged in places; the heightened dramatic aspect ill-suited to such a difficult story. Still, expect it to be in contention as awards season progresses.

‘May December’ receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.

May December

"Some roles are transformative."

R1 hr 57 minDec 1st, 2023

Showtimes & Tickets

Watch May December Online

What’s the story of ‘May December’?

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.

Who else is in ‘May December’?

In addition to the three leads, the ensemble also includes Cory Michael Smith, Elizabeth Yu, Gabriel Chung, Piper Curda and D.W. Moffett.

Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman attend Netflix's 'May December' Los Angeles premiere at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

(L to R) Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman attend Netflix's 'May December' Los Angeles premiere at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Natasha Campos/Getty Images for Netflix.