Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman weren’t (really) directed by Todd Haynes

But how does it do? Todd Haynes has no equal when it comes to penetrating a woman’s psyche. He specifically showed this Carol. It goes even further May December, discovered at the Cannes Film Festival and then shown at the Deauville Festival. He directs two great actresses, Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman, reflecting on their profession with an Oscar-nominated script.

The first went to prison for seducing a young underage man with whom she started a family, which led to a real scandal. Another is the actress who will play her role in the Sulfur biopic, filmed twenty years after the fact. The clash between the two will be telluric when they meet to prepare for the film. “Julian and Natalie are Rolls, two actors at the peak of their talents,” explains Todd Haynes 20 minutes. I was the first audience in my film when they were perfecting their pairing. The process was fascinating. » It is the same for the spectator caught up in the machinations of this power game whose forces are gradually reversed until they cause irreversible damage.

A perfect collaboration

“I won’t talk about directing the actresses,” insists Todd Haynes, “because that implies a notion of authority that I don’t like and that they find offensive. It was more of a collaboration or an osmosis because we understand each other perfectly. » The viewer has the impression of being invited behind the scenes of how the character is built, which is all the more interesting as the film gives a real glimpse into the abyss.

“Natalie plays an actress who has to embody the woman Julian plays,” laughs Todd Haynes. It’s quite amazing to consider a film like this! » What makes this also interesting May December (The title of which evokes the huge age gap in the relationship). Even more than the actual events on which the plot is loosely inspired, Todd Haynes is passionate about the imagination and creativity involved in acting. “Natalie’s character is all about being a vampire,” he explains. She is hardly aware of the fact that she is exploiting her model and the people around her to perform to the fullest. I know actresses who look like her. »

A flawless pas de deux

The director, who is here collaborating with Julianne Moore for the fifth time, refuses to take her as a model. “Julian doesn’t need to swallow people to be fair and neither does Natalie,” he insists. They act with kindness and generosity. I think that helps make them stand out. » Their impeccably choreographed pas de deux is a beautiful lesson in composition as well as joy. Todd Haynes, a conductor with a discreet presence, has created another beautiful and delicate film that highlights these women with complementary talents.