May December

May December is a 2023 American dark comedy-drama film directed by Todd Haynes from a screenplay by Samy Burch, based on a story by Burch and Alex Mechanik. It follows an actress (Natalie Portman) who travels to Georgia to meet and study the life of the woman (Julianne Moore) she is set to play in a film. It is loosely inspired by the story of Mary Kay Letourneau.[3]

For a definition of the term "May–December", see the Wiktionary entry May–December.

May December
Release poster
Directed byTodd Haynes
Screenplay bySamy Burch
Story by
  • Samy Burch
  • Alex Mechanik
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyChristopher Blauvelt[1]
Edited byAffonso Gonçalves
Music byMarcelo Zarvos
Production
companies
Distributed byNetflix
Release dates
  • May 20, 2023 (2023-05-20) (Cannes)
  • November 17, 2023 (2023-11-17) (United States)
Running time
113 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

May December premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2023. It is scheduled to be released in select theaters in the United States on November 17, 2023, before streaming on Netflix on December 1, 2023.

Premise

Twenty years after their notorious tabloid romance gripped the nation, a married couple with a large age gap buckles under the pressure when an actress arrives to do research for a film about their past.[4]

Cast

Production

In June 2021, it was announced that Portman and Moore were cast in the film.[4] In September 2022, Melton was added to the cast.[9] In January 2023, it was reported Piper Curda, Elizabeth Yu and Gabriel Chung had joined the cast of the film.[6]

Principal photography took place in Savannah, Georgia,[10] and wrapped after 23 days in November 2022.[1][11] Edward Lachman was initially going to serve as cinematographer but was replaced by Christopher Blauvelt due to Lachman's hip injury.[1][10] The script, which is set in Savannah, was originally set in Camden, Maine.[12]

Release

In February 2023, Sky Cinema acquired the UK distribution rights.[13] The film was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 76th Cannes Film Festival,[14] where it premiered on May 20, 2023.[15] In May 2023, Netflix acquired the North American distribution rights at the Marché du Film for $11 million.[16] The film also screened as the "Opening Night Film" at the 2023 New York Film Festival on September 29.[17]

The film is scheduled to be released in select theaters in the United States on November 17, 2023, before streaming on Netflix in the U.S. and Canada on December 1, 2023.[17][18]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 92% of 75 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8/10. The website's consensus reads: "Swaddling its difficult fact-based story in a blanket of campy humor, May December is a seductively discomforting watch."[19] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 83 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[20]

Accolades
Award / Film Festival Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Cannes Film Festival 27 May 2023 Palme d'Or Todd Haynes Nominated [14]
Gotham Independent Film Awards 27 November 2023 Best Screenplay Samy Burch Pending [21]
Outstanding Supporting Performance Charles Melton Pending [21]

References
  1. Lattanzio, Ryan (November 21, 2022). "Todd Haynes' 'May December' with Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore Wraps Production". IndieWire. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  2. "MAY DECEMBER". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  3. Davis, Clayton (May 21, 2023). "Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman Are Both Lead-Actress Oscar Worthy in Todd Haynes' Delicious May December". Variety. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  4. Kroll, Justin (June 11, 2021). "Natalie Portman And Julianne Moore To Star In Todd Haynes' 'May December' – Cannes Market". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  5. Ebiri, Bilge (May 22, 2023). "Todd Haynes's May December Is a Deeply Uncomfortable Movie". Vulture. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  6. Donnelly, Matt (January 17, 2023). "Todd Haynes Drama 'May December' Adds Three Actors as Kids of Julianne Moore and Charles Melton (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  7. Galuppo, Mia (May 21, 2023). "Cannes: Todd Haynes Movie May December Gets Warm Reception". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  8. Debruge, Peter (May 20, 2023). "May December Review: Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore Play Different Angles on a Tabloid Enigma". Variety. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  9. Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 14, 2022). "'May December' Helmer Todd Haynes Sets Charles Melton To Star With Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  10. Tangcay, Jazz (November 7, 2022). "Cinematographer Ed Lachman Had to Exit Todd Haynes Drama 'May December' After Breaking His Hip". Variety. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  11. Frost, Caroline (May 21, 2023). "May December Stars Natalie Portman & Julianne Moore Talk Unfair Expectations On Women "Even At Cannes"; Todd Haynes Quips On Macron – Cannes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  12. Ellwood, Gregory (May 24, 2023). "Todd Haynes On Natalie Portman's 'May December' Scene Everyone Will Be Talking About [Interview]". The Playlist. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  13. Parfitt, Orlando (February 1, 2023). "Sky adds Michael Mann, Todd Haynes films to 2023 originals slate". Screen International. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  14. "The films of the Official Selection 2023". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  15. mraultpauillac (May 10, 2023). "The Screenings Guide of the 76th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  16. Fleming, Mike Jr.; Wiseman, Andreas (May 23, 2023). "Netflix Lands Todd Haynes' Buzzy Cannes Competition Film 'May December' In Splashy $11M North American Rights Deal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  17. Rubin, Rebecca (July 11, 2023). "'May December,' Starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, to Open New York Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  18. "Peek Inside 'May December' with an Eerie New Trailer". Netflix Tudum. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  19. "May December". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  20. "May December". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  21. Lewis, Hilary (October 24, 2023). "'Past Lives,' 'A Thousand and One' and 'All of Us Strangers' Top Gotham Awards Film Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
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