Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore Discuss ‘Queerness’ of May December Characters
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Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore have opened up about the “inherent queerness” displayed between their characters in the film May December. The actresses, who star alongside Charles Melton in the drama directed by Todd Haynes, recently sat down for an interview with Attitude to discuss the complex dynamics of their roles.
May December tells the story of TV actress Elizabeth, played by Portman, who is researching for her upcoming role in a film. In the movie, she will portray sex offender Gracie, portrayed by Moore. Gracie made tabloid headlines for her controversial 23-year-long relationship with her husband Joe, played by Melton. The relationship began when he was just 13 years old and she was 36.
As Elizabeth shadows Gracie and delves deeper into her psyche, a notable chemistry develops between the two characters. Portman acknowledged this connection in her interview, describing it as an “inherent queerness” stemming from their struggle with power dynamics.
Portman explained that queerness, as she understands it, involves stepping outside of societal boundaries imposed upon individuals. Both Elizabeth and Gracie are determined to write their own narratives and declare their own identities. This desire for self-expression creates the dynamic between them that can be interpreted as inherently queer.
Moore added that the struggle for dominance between the characters leads them to use seduction as a strategy to gain control over the narrative. Both women are portrayed as seductive individuals who know how to perform femininity. Seduction becomes a tool they use against each other.
May December is inspired by the true story of teacher Mary Kay Letourneau and her sixth-grade student Vili Fualaau. The film has garnered intense emotions from viewers, thanks in large part to Melton’s devastating performance. However, some fans have questioned why the film has been nominated in the comedy category at the Golden Globe Awards.
While there are dark comedy moments in May December, viewers argue that it doesn’t fit in with other comedy nominees like Barbie, Air, or The Holdovers. Social media has been abuzz with fans expressing their surprise and confusion over the film’s categorization.
Melton responded to the comedy nomination in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He expressed that while filming the movie, it didn’t feel funny due to the complexity of Samy Burch’s script and Todd Haynes’ direction. As artists, the actors can only tell the character’s story and have no control over how the audience receives it.
Director Todd Haynes chimed in, stating that May December is both a comedy and a drama. He explained that the humor was evident in Burch’s script, but it is fully realized when actors of Portman and Moore’s caliber navigate the material. Producer Pamela Koffler added that the film’s stylistic approach combines humor, control, and tension, achieving a delicate balance through skillful filmmaking.
May December is currently available for streaming on Netflix in the US and Canada, as well as on Sky Cinema in the UK. The film’s exploration of power dynamics and the inherent queerness between its characters has sparked conversations and captivated audiences.
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May December characters
