MAY DECEMBER - Review by Lachlan Thiele
INT. MOCKING-MOORE - DAY
May December is an excellent satire with incredibly dark themes at times. Portman's Elizabeth is an actress tasked with researching her next role, a movie based on the massively dramatised life of Julianne Moore's character. Moore and Portman shine in their roles, and both can create believable characters whilst still pushing the unbelievable humour and situations they are put in. Portman, mainly with her fascination with making an actual 'true-to-life' performance as Gracie, copies her quirks and tendencies, providing the audience with laughs.
Primarily the humour lies in the dark aspects of the film. The funniest, without spoiling, Gracie’s relationship with her husband. It continuously evolves over the film, and we finally reach a satisfying conclusion. It’s interesting how out of all of the dramas that premiered at Cannes, the comedy-drama has the best character arcs.
Overall, May December lands on both feet, standing tall against the competition. Satirical, well-acted and entertaining.
FADE OUT