Our review of the movie with Natalie Portman

1. The captivating acting duo formed by Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman

On the poster of May December, their faces already merge into one: both opposite and complementary, Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore captivate the camera of Todd Haynes, who films almost no scene without the presence of one of them. in the role ofElizabeth BarryAn actress who came to study the woman who inspired her future film, Natalie Portman Introduces the viewer Julian Moorewhich interprets Gracie Atherton-U. The latter is a former teacher who fifteen years ago was sentenced to prison for having a sexual relationship with his 13-year-old student Joe Yoo (played as an adult by Ek). Charles Melton Transformed and surprising), he has since become her husband and the father of her three children.

Studying the slight movements of the character played by Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman adopts her expressions and physiology – looks almost exactly like her, dresses and poses like her, adopts the same look and the same expressions (brows, pouting pout). To refine her role in Gracie’s daily life, Elizabeth explores her psychological twists and turns and studies her every reaction to a lie, a question, or a simple action. And she ventures into the boundaries of propriety, almost seeming to finally come to terms with her murky and controversial history…

2. Confused plot of the movie May December

Carried from start to finish by Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman, the plot of this new film Todd Haynes Uncomfortable with his treatment. If the story the director chooses to tell is entertaining (inspired by the real story of Marie Kay Letourneau and Willy Fualaou), the angle the director chooses to treat it with is not so obvious. Certainly, the viewer explores the inside and outside of the story through Elizabeth’s (Natalie Portman) gentle and moral gaze, but Todd Haynes transforms the latter into a manipulator who uses all means to achieve his ends and obtain all possible information around. Through cases, conversations and random meetings.

The heart of the film, which is no longer interested in the social facts of the 90s, but in its aftermath in the daily lives of the characters fifteen years later. Disturbed by Elizabeth and her actions, the viewer then finds herself in a difficult position as Gracie and Joe cling against all odds. We cannot really trust or fully sympathize with these ambiguous characters. A confusing story to say the least, punctuated by disturbing scenes where adults react like angry children, bursting into tears, freaking out… and inciting more shame than pity in the viewer.

3. Director Todd Haynes’ Abominable World

From its captivating pair of actresses to its confusing plot, the film May December The viewer is thus immersed in a strange universe shaped by strange musical compositions and photography. Its original soundtrack, conceived by a Brazilian composer Marcelo ZervosWhich rewrites the famous piece for the occasion Michael Legrand Concept for the film the messenger Since 1971, piercing piano has been punctuated with notes that are downright painful.

Especially when this marks the beginning or end of a revealing scene or a transition between several revelations that disrupt the plot of the story. The musical atmosphere that director Todd Haynes combines with close-ups on the faces of Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore or Charles Melton emphasizes the dramatic impact of each scene. Another captivating detail: the play of light, solar or artificial, contrasts with the film’s dark plot to create a hypnotic picture.

May December (2024) by Todd Haynes, with Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore and Charles Melton, currently in cinemas.