The drama film is loosely based on the life of Mary Kay Letourneau, a teacher who had a surreptitious relationship with her student.
Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore Explore the Intricacies of Forbidden Romance in “May December”
BY Alo Folakemi
November 27, 2023
6:30 pm
In this Todd Haynes-directed film, Oscar winner, Natalie Portman takes on her most challenging role yet – playing fellow Oscar winner, Julianne Moore. Portman stars as actress Elizabeth Berry who, in order to prepare for an upcoming role, shadows the life of Gracie Atherton-Yoo (Moore), the woman she is going to play in an independent film.
Gracie was the center of a nationwide scandal in the early 90s when it was reported that she had an affair with Joe Yoo, a friend of her son. Joe was thirteen years old at the time and she was made to register as a sex offender. Fast forward to 2015 and Gracie and Joe are happily married with three children. As Elizabeth weaves her way into Gracie and Joe’s seemingly peaceful home, she discovers that there is more than meets the eye.
“May December” dives knee-deep into the intricacies of the forbidden, exploring the themes of statutory rape, the age of consent, and the importance of a stable family dynamic.
“May December” was first unveiled at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in May 2023, and it was heaped with stellar praises from critics. It received a limited theatrical release in the United States on Nov. 17, but it would be released globally on the streaming platform Netflix on Dec. 1.
Portman, Moore, Charles Melton, Cory Michael Smith, D.W Moffett, Piper Curda, Elizabeth Yu, and Gabriel Chung make up the cast of “May December.”
Watch the trailer here.