Reliving Trauma in MAY DECEMBER

 

A well-acted drama inspired by actual events, May December is a somber exploration into human behavior and uncovering the past.  Directed with sensitivity by Todd Haynes (Carol, Far From Heaven), it is a fascinating ‘story behind the story’ kind of film.

At a home in Georgia, a mom and dad interact with their teen kids. Into this setting comes an actress, Elizabeth (Natalie Portman), who is preparing to star in a movie about their illicit, now infamous affair between a then 36 year old married woman, Gracie (Julianne Moore), and a 13 year old student, Joe (Charles Melton is impressive as adult Joe).  As she gathers fragments of information and recollections, her journey into their lives is an attempt to understand and reconstruct what happened and how this has affected them in the present.  While Gracie and Joe prepare for their children’s graduation, Elizabeth gets to the heart of the matter which reopens a painful past and creates emotional upheaval.

 By peering beyond superficial appearances, the film explores how these principals originally connected and how people’s lives were affected and even traumatized.  Upon deeper inspection, there is a level of tension that builds slowly and some dark secrets slowly emerge.  The dynamic between Gracie and an adult Joe is a complicated relationship; these are deeply troubled individuals.  Were they naïve or deliberately intent on their relationship, and what is truth and fiction? 

Some may find the film’s deliberate pacing slow and tedious, but Haynes is carefully painting a realistic, methodical narrative.  Getting to the essence of the real story is its overriding theme, and while the film ultimately opens old wounds and shakes up perceived, normal lives in favor of a sobering reality, it is a rich, character study. 

**** of ***** stars    on Netflix