May December
Overview
May December is a 2023 psychological drama film directed by Todd Haynes, starring Natalie Portman as Elizabeth Berry, an actress; Julianne Moore as Gracie Atherton-Yoo, a woman who was convicted of statutory rape; and Charles Melton as Joe Yoo, Gracie's husband, who was 13 years old when she seduced him. The film is set in Savannah, Georgia, 20 years after the scandal. Gracie and Joe are now married, with three children. Gracie has served her prison sentence, and the family has tried to live a normal life. Elizabeth is an actress who is preparing to play Gracie in an independent film. She visits the family, and she observes them, trying to understand her character. The film is a meditation on performance, memory, and the nature of evil. Gracie is a charming, manipulative, and delusional woman. She does not believe that she did anything wrong. She tells Elizabeth that she was the victim, and that Joe was the aggressor. Joe is a quiet, sad, and emotionally stunted man. He has never had another relationship, and he is still processing the trauma of his childhood. He begins to question his relationship with Gracie, and he has a brief affair with a woman his own age. The film ends with Elizabeth finishing her research and leaving. She has captured Gracie on film, and she will now perform her. May December was a critical success, earning over $14 million on a $20 million budget. Charles Melton was praised for his performance, winning the Gotham Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance.
