“May-December,” currently streaming on Netflix, boasts an impressive cast featuring Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, and Charles Melton. Despite its participation in the prestigious Palm D’or section of the Cannes Film Festival and garnering praise from American critics, the film fails to live up to its anticipated greatness.
Directed by Todd Haynes, renowned for his collaborations with Julianne Moore, “May-December” marks his inaugural project with Natalie Portman. Given the caliber of talent involved, audiences might expect a captivating blend of Hitchcockian mystery and Brian de Palma’s sensuality. However, the film falls short on both counts.
The narrative revolves around Elizabeth Berry, portrayed by Natalie Portman, a moderately successful actress tasked with portraying Gracie, played by Julianne Moore, in a film adaptation. Gracie, a woman with a scandalous past, resides in Georgia, prompting Elizabeth to immerse herself in Gracie’s life for research purposes.
The central question arises: why has Gracie allowed Elizabeth into her life? Is it merely for financial gain, or does she aim to reconcile her reputation and clarify her murky history? Audiences are left to speculate on Gracie’s motivations and the extent of her redemption.
Clues are scattered throughout Gracie’s current lifestyle, such as her baking cakes for friends who purchase them out of goodwill. However, viewers are left questioning whether such gestures suffice to signify forgiveness and acceptance within the community.
Overall, “May-December” disappoints with its lack of transparency and failure to fully explore its intriguing premise. Despite the stellar cast and promising setup, the film falls short of delivering the compelling narrative it initially promises.
The film cultivates an atmosphere steeped in subtle mystery, enveloping characters in an aura of enigmatic dialogue and ambiguous actions. The director’s intentions regarding our perception of Gracie remain elusive, prompting us to ponder whether we should sympathize with her or maintain a detached, non-judgmental stance. Amidst this ambiance, the narrative unfolds with a subdued yet somewhat intriguing melodrama.
The prevailing sense of emptiness experienced by both protagonists becomes the focal point of our engagement with the film. We’re left with a lingering impression of a story that resonates with the hollowness felt by its characters. Despite the potential for explosive confrontations, the film opts for a slow burn, eschewing major clashes between its characters or delving into their tumultuous pasts.
Gracie’s life is portrayed lacking the vibrancy needed to captivate an audience, leaving her story seemingly insufficiently compelling for cinematic adaptation. However, the performances by Moore and Portman inject vitality into the narrative, albeit falling short of their previous standout roles. Todd Haynes adeptly positions them as characters driven by curiosity rather than confrontation, their interactions resembling a delicate dance of anticipation rather than a clash of titans.
Gracie’s husband, Joe, adds another layer of complexity to the narrative with his portrayal of a man grappling with his own vulnerabilities. His rooftop escapade with his son serves as a poignant moment, exposing the fragility of masculinity in the face of familial expectations.
Furthermore, Gracie’s encounter with a 13-year-old boy serves as a turning point, stripping away the facade of normalcy and revealing the underlying complexities of her character.
In summary, the film navigates the intricacies of human relationships with a nuanced approach, portraying individuals grappling with their inner demons amidst the backdrop of mundane existence. While lacking the fireworks of conventional melodramas, its subdued tone and introspective exploration offer a unique perspective on the human condition.
| Aspect | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Cast | Impressive lineup with Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, and Charles Melton. |
| Direction | Directed by Todd Haynes, known for collaborations with Moore, but his first project with Portman. Expectation of Hitchcockian mystery and de Palma’s sensuality not met. |
| Plot | Revolves around Elizabeth (Portman) researching Gracie’s (Moore) scandalous past in Georgia. Lack of transparency and failure to fully explore intriguing premise. |
| Atmosphere | Subtle mystery and enigmatic dialogue create an intriguing ambiance. |
| Character Development | Characters driven by curiosity rather than confrontation. Performances by Moore and Portman inject vitality, but storyline lacks vibrancy. |
| Emotional Impact | Exploration of human relationships with a nuanced approach. Lacks fireworks of conventional melodramas, but offers introspective perspective on human condition. |
| Overall | Falls short of hype despite prestigious Cannes screening and critical acclaim. Disappoints in delivering compelling narrative. Subdued tone and exploration of emptiness resonate but leave much to be desired. |
