May December came out when I was deep in the holiday movie reviews. I actually thought this came out earlier this month instead of the beginning of last month. Christmas movies will do that to you.

Elizabeth Berry (Natalie Portman) is an actress shadowing Gracie (Julianne Moore), who is the subject of her next movie. When Gracie was 36, she began a love affair with 13-year old Joe (Charles Melton). She gave birth to their first child, Honor (Piper Curda), in prison. When Elizabeth visits, the married couple is preparing to celebrate the high school graduation of their twins, Mary (Elizabeth Yu), and Charlie (Gabriel Chung).

This is such a difficult movie. It’s loosely based on the true story of Mary Kay Letourneau, a 34-year old teacher who started a sexual relationship with her 12-year old student. They did, indeed, get married and have children, both of which were born in prison (during different prison terms). So it’s already a little icky to watch. However, what makes it more difficult is that it seems like Elizabeth is trying to actually become Gracie, not just figure out who she is in order to portray her on screen. And it’s weird that THAT freaked me out more than the actual pedophilic relationship.

But was it a good movie? It’s honestly hard for me to say. I didn’t hate it but I spent a LOT of time trying to figure out Elizabeth’s motives and whether she really was an actor or some sort of weird stalker. It wasn’t a waste of time or anything like that. I think I would have liked a different ending though. Something a little more….substantial.

Rating: B