Netflix’s May December is a captivating, demented, and thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of human relationships. Check out the details in my parents guide movie review.
Netflix’s May December releases on the streaming service across the United States today, December 1, 2023. The cast of May December includes Natalie Portman (Hollywood actress Elizabeth Berry), Julianne Moore (as Gracie Atherton-Yoo), Charles Melton (Gracie’s husband Joe Yoo), Elizabeth Yu (Mary Atherton-Yoo), Cory Michael Smith (Georgie), D.W. Moffett (Gracie’s ex-husband Tom Atherton), Gabriel Chung (Charlie Atherton-Yoo), Chris Tenzis (Aaron), and Andrea Frankle (Rhonda). The movie was written by Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik, directed by Todd Haynes, and cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt. Check out the details in my parents guide movie review.
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May December Movie Quotes
May December Parents Guide
In Netflix’s May December: After their relationship ignited a tabloid saga two decades ago, Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe (Charles Melton) now lead a seemingly perfect suburban life. Their domestic bliss is disrupted when Elizabeth (Natalie Portman), a famous television actress, arrives in their tight-knit community to research her upcoming role as Gracie. As Elizabeth ingratiates herself into the everyday lives of Gracie and Joe, the uncomfortable facts of their scandal unfurl, causing long-dormant emotions to resurface. In May December, director Todd Haynes (Safe, Carol) explores one of the great talents of the human species: our colossal refusal to look at ourselves.
May December Age Rating Parents Guide
Let’s take a look at what concerned parents need to know about the age ratings of the series before letting their younger children watch May December.
Language: May December contains some strong language used throughout the film. The lookout words include f*ck, b*tch, d*mn, and sexual references about a hand job.
Mature Content: The biggest lookout in the film, other than the language, is the nudity and sex scenes. There is a graphic sex scene that shows the characters in the act thrusting and reveals male buttocks and genitals. There is another scene that shows a character pretending to orgasm. The story is based on the tabloid scandal of Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau, the couple who started a sexual relationship while Vili was in 6th grade and Mary Kate was his teacher. So, it hits on some very mature themes, explicit content and topics. The movie also contains drug use; a character gets high and almost falls off the roof.
Age Rating of the Movie May December: Netflix Orignals May December movie ratings has an R rating by the Motion Picture Association of America – MPAA ratings – for some sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use, and language and the parental guidelines advisory recommends it for mature audiences, an older audience, an adult audience, young people, young adults, older kids, and teens aged 17 years and older. The suggestion of parental guidance or a legal guardian (adult guardian) for this restricted R category is highly suggested for young children, teenage children. and younger viewers under 17 years of age in this R-rated motion picture for adult material. The minimum age recommendation is 17 years old.
Overall Thoughts
Netflix’s May December, the latest film from acclaimed director Todd Haynes, is a captivating, demented, and thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of human relationships. Haynes’s film stars Natalie Portman (Black Swan) as Elizabeth Berry, a fading Hollywood actress who takes on the role of Gracie Atherton (Julianne Moore) in an upcoming film. Gracie was a young woman involved in a notorious tabloid scandal twenty years prior, and Elizabeth is determined to understand her character. What follows is a captivating exploration of truth, memory, and the complexities of human relationships.
Haynes masterfully navigates a labyrinth of narratives in May December. Elizabeth delves into Gracie’s past through interviews and research, uncovering layers of secrets, details from her first marriage, and conflicting accounts. The audience is constantly questioning what is real and what is fabricated, which adds to the film’s intrigue.
The performances in May December are top-notch. Portman is mesmerizing as the ambitious and driven Elizabeth Barry, and Moore delivers a powerful performance as the enigmatic Gracie. Corey Stoll also shines as Joe, Gracie’s husband, who is burdened by the weight of the past.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its sharp and witty script. Its writing is full of both humor and social commentary, and he uses satire to effectively skewer the entertainment industry and its obsession with scandal.
Netflix’s May December is not without its flaws. The film’s slow pacing and ambiguous ending may frustrate some viewers. Additionally, the subject matter, which includes references to sexual abuse and statutory rape involving a seventh grader, is sensitive and may not be suitable for all audiences.
All in All, May December is a compelling and thought-provoking film that is well worth watching. It is a testament to the talents of Haynes and his cast, and it is sure to spark discussion and debate.