Exploring the Ins and Outs of Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore's 'May-December' Film: Uncovering the Plot and Cast Details
'May December' is a captivating film featuring Natalie Portman as an actress exploring the life of Julianne Moore's character, whom she is set to portray Delve into the complexities of their relationship and discover the intriguing message behind this thought-provoking story
Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore. Francois Duhamel / courtesy of Netflix
May December tells the story of Gracie and Joe, a couple dealing with the challenges of a significant age difference. Inspired by the real-life affair of Mary Kay Letourneau and her student Vili Fualaau, the film explores the aftermath of their controversial romance. Years later, as their children prepare for college, they are confronted with new challenges when Elizabeth, an actress researching their story for a film, arrives in town. This triggers a unraveling of their relationship as Joe comes to grips with the events of his past.
May December had a successful premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023, receiving a standing ovation that lasted six minutes. Following this, Netflix acquired the film and arranged for it to be released in theaters and on their streaming platform.
Prior to its wide release, director Todd Haynes shared insights into the rapid production of the project, which came to life in less than a month.
Natalie and Julie needed to spend time together as Julie’s character had to embody a physical type that Natalie’s character would imitate in the film. This placed an added pressure on Julianne to quickly create Gracie’s character. There was a concerted effort to have social time with Julianne, Charles, and the two main child actors to facilitate the process. Unfortunately, there was limited time for working through scenes or going through the script.
What Is the Plot of ‘May December’?
François Duhamel / Courtesy of Netflix
The film delves into the story of a married couple (Moore and Melton) — with a significant age difference — who find themselves grappling with their own existence when an actress (Portman) shows up to conduct research for a film based on their past.
Who Makes Up the Cast of ‘May December’?
Francois Duhamel / courtesy of Netflix
Portman, Moore, and Melton headline the film, with supporting performances from D.W. Moffett, Piper Curda, Elizabeth Yu, Gabriel Chung, Cory Michael Smith, and Lawrence Arancio.
What Has the Official Trailer Revealed?
Courtesy of Netflix
In the first teaser for the film released by Netflix in September 2023, Moore and Portman face each other in a mirror. Portman’s character appears to mimic Moore’s mannerisms while saying, “I think about you all the time.”
Haynes explained to Netflix’s Tudum in September 2023, after a longer cut of the trailer was released, that "Both women are circling each other and trying to get a handle on each other. I think a lot of it is about a process of trust, which is Natalie’s character Elizabeth’s goal to make Gracie feel toward her. It’s Elizabeth’s project to try to navigate around these resistances piece by piece."
When Will ‘May December’ Be Released?
The movie premiered in select theaters on November 17, 2023 and was available to stream on Netflix from December 1, 2023.
What Is the Message Behind the Story?
In an interview with Vogue in May 2023, Portman shared her thoughts on the film, stating, "Exploring the role of an actress and the responsibility of portraying a real-life story was incredibly enjoyable. It really makes you consider the impact of your portrayal and how it can influence the overall narrative. It's a question that documentary filmmakers and journalists also grapple with. Additionally, it raises the question of whether art can exist without a moral standpoint."
What Real Life Events Helped Shape ‘May December’?
Portman praised Haynes for his unbiased approach to the film’s narrative, stating to Variety months later, "He possesses a profound insight into human behavior. His female characters are intricate and multi-faceted."
Haynes has previously praised screenwriter Samy Burch's vision for the story, noting that he appreciated the distinction in Samy's script from other tabloid stories and was looking for cinematic correlatives. He mentioned in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in May 2023 that the script leaves the audience in a state of uncertainty about the characters, particularly the character played by Natalie Portman, as their reliability becomes destabilized as the film unfolds, leading to a constant state of reevaluation.
He went on to say, "I was intrigued by the idea of finding new ways to tell this story and ensuring that the audience would find pleasure in interpreting the film, making it an enjoyable journey for them."
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How Do Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau Relate to the Film?
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Letourneau gained widespread attention in 1996 when news broke of her relationship with Fualaau, who was a sixth-grade student at the time. Following Letourneau's imprisonment, the couple got married in 2005 and raised their daughters, Audrey and Georgia. However, Letourneau and Fualaau ultimately separated in 2019, and she passed away from colorectal cancer a year later.
Film fans have pointed out the major similarities between May December and Letourneau’s personal life.
