Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore stunning performance in ‘May December’

Natalie Portman is no stranger to playing real-life figures on the big screen. The Oscar-winning actress has portrayed icons such as Jackie Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Anne Frank in her illustrious career. But her latest role might be her most challenging yet.

In Todd Haynes’ upcoming film ‘May December’, Portman stars as Elizabeth, a popular television actor who is preparing to play Gracie, a woman who was involved in a scandalous tabloid romance with a much younger man, Joe (Charles Melton), twenty years ago. Gracie is played by none other than Julianne Moore, who also serves as a producer on the film.

To research her part, Elizabeth travels to Savannah, Georgia, where Gracie and Joe live with their three children. There, she observes their seemingly normal family life, but also uncovers some secrets and tensions that lurk beneath the surface. As Elizabeth gets closer to Gracie, she also begins to question her own identity and choices.

‘May December’ is a witty and provocative film that explores the themes of performance, exploitation, and memory. It also showcases the talents of two of the most acclaimed actresses of their generation, Portman and Moore, who share the screen for the first time.

Portman revealed that she studied Moore’s mannerisms and voice to capture her essence, but also added her own interpretation to the role. She said, “I think it’s always a balance between being respectful and honoring the person you’re playing, but also bringing something new and creative to it. Julianne is such an amazing actress and person, and I learned so much from working with her.”

Moore praised Portman’s performance and said, “She’s incredible. She’s so smart and so committed and so brave. She really immersed herself in the character and the story. I think she did a fantastic job of playing me, but also playing Elizabeth, who is a very complex and fascinating character.”

‘May December’ is directed by Todd Haynes, who is known for his acclaimed films such as ‘Carol’, ‘Far from Heaven’, and ‘I’m Not There’. The film is based on a script by Samy Burch, who was inspired by the real-life story of Mary Kay Letourneau, a teacher who had a sexual relationship with her 12-year-old student, Vili Fualaau, and later married him.

The film premiered at the New York Film Festival in October 2023, where it received positive reviews from critics and audiences. It is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 1, 2023.