The Intriguing Parallels: Julianne Moore's Captivating Performance Draws Inspiration from the Unconventional Love Story of Mary Kay Letourneau

Julianne Moore Gotham/FilmMagic

May December is a work of fiction that draws heavily from the notorious relationship between Mary Kay Letourneau and her student Vili Fualaau. This real-life scandal provided inspiration for Julianne Moore's character in the film. Screenwriter Samy Burch, at a screening during the New York Film Festival on Friday, September 29, expressed her desire to explore the fascination with tabloid culture from the 90s and question the ongoing trend of retelling such stories in true crime biopics.

Burch further commented that these stories, such as the one being discussed, are deeply ingrained in our cultural history.

In addition, director Todd Haynes spoke about how Moore drew inspiration from Letourneau for her performance. Letourneau, a former teacher, made headlines in 1996 for engaging in statutory rape with her sixth-grade student, Faulauu. She was initially sentenced to three months in jail for two counts of felony second-degree rape. Later on, she received a six-year prison sentence for continuing to have contact with Fualaau, now 40 years old. Despite the controversy, the couple went on to have two children and were married for over ten years before separating in 2019.

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Starring Natalie Portman as actress Elizabeth, May December follows her journey to meet and understand the life of Gracie (played by Moore), the woman she is tasked to portray in a film. The fictional movie revolves around Gracie's infamous relationship with Joe (Charles Melton), who is 23 years younger than her.

Haynes discussed Moore's character during the event, questioning the origins of their unique relationship and the narratives they create for themselves. He emphasized that the woman is not a pedophile and that her interest in teenage boys is not a recurring pattern. There is a specific event that has brought these two individuals together. Haynes highlighted that a significant factor in their bond is their mutual hesitance to discuss how their relationship began.

Francois Duhamel / courtesy of Netflix

However, the narrative surrounding her is enveloped in a fantastical notion. It suggests that she is the damsel in distress trapped in a domestic tower, while he is the youthful and vigorous knight, reminiscent of a Greco-Roman warrior. He is believed to possess an abundance of sexual potency, power, and physical attractiveness, and is expected to rescue her. Consequently, she assumes the role of a vulnerable young girl in this scenario.

Haynes stated that Moore, 62, drew inspiration from previous recordings of Letourneau in order to develop her speaking voice. Letourneau, who passed away from cancer at the age of 58 in 2020, had certain aspects in her speech that Moore found intriguing, particularly in the loose upper palate. Moore built upon these qualities to portray Letourneau in a more nuanced manner. According to Haynes, these creative choices allowed the audience to gain insight into the factors that led to this situation and the delusions that played a role.

François Duhamel / Courtesy of Netflix

Moore, for her part, previously opened up about her interest in the role ahead of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.

Gracie has faced significant judgment. She desires to be seen and understood, to have her choices recognized. The actress expressed this to Netflix's Queue in September, emphasizing the importance of allowing someone into her private life to uncover her true self.

Additionally, Moore acknowledged that Gracie also presents a curated version of herself, striving to be perceived in a certain way. As Gracie begins to understand that she cannot maintain complete control over her own story, Elizabeth becomes a more menacing presence.

In this article

Julianne Moore

Mary Kay Letourneau