Film Journal 2023: May December

Film Journal 2023: May December
Directed by Todd Haynes

I’m a big fan of Todd Haynes. Far From Heaven is a legitimate masterpiece, Carol isn’t far behind, and Wonderstruck is a legitimate all timer for me when it comes to my personal favorites list.

May December doesn’t feel out of place in terms of his filmography, but it does feel slightly less focused and confident as a project. Perhaps it’s trying to find a way to push the boundaries of some of his recognizable characteristics and sensibilities, to reimagine his penchant for drawing out morally compromised characters in a way that seeks the nuanced and morally ambiguous middle ground. But it felt like it needed something to kind of draw it all in and make it sensible and coherent, something that allows us as viewers to connect with the characters. Perhaps a little bit more work on the script even.

There are points of brilliance along the way. Playing around with the actor playing an actor bit provides some interesting artistic choices when it comes to utilizing Portmans character. There are some haunting and unsettling portraits as the two figures gradually blur together, throwing into question whether this process is bringing her closer to knowing her subject or further away. That’s really where the film is most invested, using the interplay between the actor studying her subject to pull out the nuances of the subject at hand. And Haynes chooses some dark territory to tread, littering it with some uncomfortable humor as a way of making the tone a bit undefinable.

One of the issues is that it all ends up one big nod to the artistic vision itself, leaving any worthwhile or recognizable arc cloaked from our view. Perhaps that’s part of the intent, creating a film that is more about the idea and the experience than the story. On some level it does achieve this. But towards that end it feels a bit too clever for its own good, and certainly the supporting cast becomes a bit expendable because of this.

A bit disappointed with this one overall, even if it has its moments.