May December (2023)★ 6.8/10

Natalie Portman...

The cinematography is my favorite aspect, with the added film grain adding a fuzzy texture and soft lighting showcasing the town's warmth and the family's coziness. This superficial warmth contrasts sharply with the story's reality and the harsh truths revealed through the narrative and music.

While Elizabeth ostensibly observes life, her real aim is to uncover the truth behind this model couple. The film, told through the perspectives of the director and actors, can be said to be a modern Rashomon, suggesting that everything could be false even when presented convincingly.

The story is just too thin. Despite the director's efforts to compensate with various artistic techniques, the script's issues still lie bare for all to see. While Natalie Portman's performance is polished, it feels calculated and lacks depth. Just like how she's meticulously planning to portray Julianne Moore's character in the movie, it actually doesn't work out.

Confusing soundtracks, predictable plot twists, shallow characters, a flatly portrayed controversial relationship, and a pointless ending. It fails to deliver as a story about infidelity or an outsider intruding, and even the portrayal of the evil woman gaslighting others barely scratches the surface... it’s just really dull.

The movie is quite something, with slow-paced visuals paired with slightly overpowering music which add to the intricacy and complications of the story. It explores the intrusions of the truth and life, the reality of performance, and the nuances of human experience - the elements blend and culminates in a sense of emptiness at the end when she gains everything and nothing. Julianne Moore carries the film effortlessly, while Natalie Portman seems to be on edge throughout the entire film. I really appreciate this kind of subtly ruthless yet thought-provoking story; it's just so seamlessly perfect!

It's quite provocative and dramatic. Additionally, the writer's ambition and the performances of the two award-winning leading ladies in this film leave plenty of room for interpretation. The dialogue, structure, and presentation all showcase the creator's ambition, but with a touch of wry humor, creating a connection with the film's ending. The two female characters are incredibly intriguing and complex, and their performances stand out the most. Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore's portrayals of their respective roles, as well as the tension between them both present in their scenes together, are truly remarkable. While Moore may be better at acting, Portman's depiction of her character's performance and loss of control at the end, along with her moral ambiguity, is truly fascinating.

This story is all about getting into character, experiencing life, and comparing the character with real life. There's a lot to delve into here, especially from an actor's perspective. Those in the acting profession will probably appreciate this kind of story. The remarkable thing about Julianne Moore's performance is that she just nails it effortlessly when portraying such a character.

Even without knowing that this film is based on true events, the performances of the two female stars, who mutually observe and scrutinize each other, and the skillful editing that translates their performances into emotionally resonant scenes, make the viewing process incredibly enjoyable. In the humid warmth of Georgia, with a hidden, beautiful snake, one wonders if those who come into contact with it, or even wish to play with it, are truly afraid?
by the way, the title "May December", means Love between old and young.

I didn't think much of it when watching it, but it really stuck with me afterwards. I feel like it explores the boundaries between what's "acting" and what's "real". When you methodically become someone else, everything in life becomes mere rational observations through a third-party perspective, in which you get to see the true essence of things. Gracie and Joe could never return to their once calm life after Elisabeth intruded on it, and the inequalities in their relationship became more jarring. The two female leads really gave some of their best performances yet.

The plot is excitingly intricate. Its dramatic nature lies in both its story and how it is told. On the surface, the movie is an expression of discontent toward manipulation and power. In reality, it's a dissective analysis of human nature. Just like the saying 'everyone has a skeleton in their cupboard', what Haynes is doing is exactly exposing the darkest side of the character. In fact, the character puts on so thick of a facade that you wonder if she has any real human sides underneath it. Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman's performances are absolutely stellar.