Experience movies now. - Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore radiate in the scandalous movie "May December"
The era of success for women in the film industry is blossoming. This is evidenced by the numerous accolades won by directors and actresses during the Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes is a famous stage for heroines: Last year, "May December" premiered there, the latest project from US director Todd Haynes ("Far from Heaven"), which features two multidimensional roles. Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore offer intricate performances that push each other to their limits.
She was imprisoned for a love crime
The title of the drama showcases the age gaps in certain romantic relationships. May refers to youth, while December symbolizes maturity. Moore portrays Gracie, who was at the center of a legal and media scandal 20 years ago.
Gracie, a married mother, had an affair with a 13-year-old coworker at a zoo. The revelation led to her imprisonment for statutory rape. After her release, she married her now adult lover and had three children with him.
The story shares similarities with a real-life incident from the '90s, where the teacher Mary Kay LeTourneau was entangled.
"May December" chronicles the unique romance's portrayal on celluloid, with Elizabeth (portrayed by Natalie Portman) playing the leading role. As Elizabeth immerses herself in Gracie's life, she chats with her friends and acquaintances about the past. Soon, she becomes an integral part of their family and faces old wounds and new animosities.
Every detail appears significant, such as how Gracie speaks, makes up, and at times is condescending to her daughter. "I care a lot about telling your story right," Gracie asserts. "It's the moral gray areas that are intriguing," Elizabeth retorts and soon oversteps boundaries of propriety. The initial friendly bond deteriorates.
The two actresses tapped into each other's skills
For Portman and Moore, the convoluted storyline presents an opportunity to analyze their roles and entice each other, to imitate and creatively interfere with one another. They engage in various techniques of their craft within a realm of truth and simulation, until the point of confusion arises about who is manipulating whom. Finally, the critical question remains: Can one ever truly comprehend or penetrate another person? This is part of an actor's job description. But one can also fall short of this endeavor.
Before the filming, Portman and Moore were unfamiliar with each other, only knowing each other from brief appearances at award ceremonies. Portman amassed three Oscar nominations and clinched the prize in 2011 for "Black Swan". Moore received five Oscar nominations and won it in 2015 for "Still Alice" as the best leading actress.
As a result of their work on "May December", they gained an appreciation for each other. Moore reminisced about feeling burdened by six pages of text during a shooting day. Portman instilled hope with the phrase "You can do it". "I'm deeply grateful for that," Moore confesses during a press conference. Since then, Portman's words have served as Moore's mantra for crisis situations.
Performers enacting other performers is an ongoing trend in Hollywood. Iconic figures like Dustin Hoffman, who dressed as a lady in "Tootsie" to land better parts, come to mind. In the 1950s, Gloria Swanson and Bette Davis portrayed actresses in "Sunset Boulevard" and "All About Eve", respectively. These roles showcased their craftsmanship and allowed them to conceptualize and deconstruct their own art.
Recently, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio have stepped into the shoes of silent film stars and a Western hero, respectively.
Despite "May December" qualifying as an exceptional film about acting transcending the bounds of acting and directed by a reputed auteur, a theatrical release was uncertain. The drama has long been available worldwide on Netflix.
Thanks to the Berlin distributor Wild Bunch, the film makes it to the big screen. The golden age of women - now it illuminates the screens as well.
