[Review] May December (9/10)

Title - May December
Production - Gloria Sanchez Productions, Killer Films, MountainA
Starring - Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, Charles Melton, Gabriel Chung, Elizabeth Yu, Kelvin Han Yee, Andrea Frankle, Cory Michael Smith, D.W. Moffett, Piper Curda
Writer - Samy Burch, Alex Mechanik
Director - Todd Haynes
Release - 1 December 2023

I don't know how Todd Haynes did it, but from the beginning to the end, there was an underlying tone of discomfort that permeated every scene. It was so weird but in a good way. I'd say brilliant, even, in achieving what it did; especially that scene when both leads were putting on makeup together.

Natalie Portman performed a powerhouse of an acting job, a highlight of her career for sure. As of now, she's my favourite to win the Oscars. At first I thought Julianne Moore didn't have too much to do, but by the middle, and then by the end of the movie; my mind was completely changed. I cannot recall a better Supporting Actress than her; unless they decide to put her in the Best Actress category as well and I wouldn't be surprised.

Everyone else was just doing the best they can to fit in when Portman and Moore were onscreen. That included Charles Melton, who had an important role as well but I found him to be just serviceable.

The screenplay and direction have to be rewarded with nominations as well, because in terms of the writing and the pacing and the editing; this movie had it all.

And the composer Marcelo Zarvos, who re-did Michel Legrand's score for The Go-Between, haunted throughout the movie.

Not many movies could make my skin crawl with just one scene and one dialogue. Moore did it. Haynes directed it. But it's just so uncomfortable that I wouldn't want to sit through it again. That final scene with Portman and the snake, it was an incredibly uncomfortable; and Haynes added so much to that scene.