I shouldn’t wait so long to post because I forget so many good movies to recommend. But I just watched “May/December” (Netflix) on my big screen last night, so I am here (and relatively fresh) to share my thoughts on this complex film. Todd Haynes is one of my favorite directors, Julianne Moore one of my favorite actors, and the real story it is not-so-loosely based on is a never-ending source of horror fascination for me, so I guess you kinda know where I’m headed in this review. Charles Melton’s performance is convincing and deeply poignant. He plays Joe, a 36 year old man, father of three facing an “empty nest” with his nearly 60 year old wife, Elizabeth, (and mother of his three children) who seduced him when he was twelve. The film is a “reverse Lolita” in so many ways: Elizabeth’s obsessiveness and her narcissistic or delusional indifference to the harm she has caused, to name just two. Likewise Haynes references Bergman’s “Persona”– both visually (lots of erotically charged closeups of the two women and a duplication of the iconic “Persona” still ) and thematically in a big way, with a superb performance from Natalie Portman as an actress who will be playing Elizabeth, in a film about the May/December relationship’s early years. (Coincidence? “Persona’s” Elizabeth is an actress who has lost her voice). Typical of the Haynes oeuvre there is humor in the juxtaposition of American normalcy with the underbelly of Joe and Elizabeth’s relationship. (backyard barbeques, high school graduation, flower arranging classes, cake baking (that’s how Elizabeth makes her living). The film is replete with delightful metaphors such as Joe’s slow awakening to his victimization and his obsession with the nurturing of Monarch butterfly cocoons for release as fully formed butterflies. I do have the distinct feeling that many of you out there will not share my enthusiasm, but watch it anyway so you can write in angry comments.
New York Cynic 
I have to say watching the film is somewhat painful and afterwards I was haunted by it. And I think it was a very good movie. Good review Susan.
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You are correct Susan, I do not share your enthusiasm. I think the 2,000 pregnant pauses were about 1,990 too many. But, I do agree that our Elizabeth doesn’t give a damn or has an iota of consciousness of all the people she harms. All of her children, for sure. She certainly is unsympathetic. But, the film stayed with me, so it certainly made an impact. I thought all the acting was excellent but the constant awkwardness was nerve wracking. Certainly not light entertainment.
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Thank you, thank you for responding! Yeah, it was slow, but as I said in my review, I was so horror fascinated with the real story that I was in full brain activity comparing, contrasting, etc. And to the rest of you out there in that dark abyss of readership, take a moment to vent your annoyance with me for recommending such a slog.
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