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Todd Haynes is known for his significant contributions to queer cinema, with films like “Carol,” “Velvet Goldmine,” and “Poison” explicitly featuring queer themes. However, other works such as “Safe” and “Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story” have more subtextually queer elements. According to Haynes, queer cinema involves challenging conventional narratives and storytelling techniques, going beyond just representing queer characters.
In the film “May December,” seemingly a story about a domestic heterosexual life, the plot takes a dark turn inspired by the Mary Kay Letourneau case. Gracie Atherton-Yoo, played by Julianne Moore, was convicted of raping Joe Yoo when he was a teenager, leading to a complex and painful exploration of their relationship. The arrival of actress Elizabeth Berry, portrayed by Natalie Portman, further complicates the narrative, creating a captivating showdown between the two women.
Despite the lack of overt queerness, “All About Eve” has garnered a following among queer audiences for its portrayal of ambition and rivalry in the entertainment industry. The film’s exploration of obsession and manipulation is echoed in the characters of Eve Harrington and Elizabeth in “May December,” both driven by a ruthless ambition in their careers.
The final shot of “All About Eve,” where mirrors reflect the duplicity and manipulation in the story, is reminiscent of a similar scene in “May December.” As Elizabeth’s obsession with Gracie intensifies, the multiplying reflections of Gracie symbolize the delusion and complexity of their relationship. Haynes acknowledges the thematic parallels between the two films, highlighting the recurring motifs of fame, obsession, and replication in storytelling.
In “May December,” the character of Joe also reflects the duplicity and complexity seen in “All About Eve,” adding layers to the narrative and exploring the themes of identity and manipulation in the pursuit of success.
Todd Haynes’ Analysis of Characters in Films
Elizabeth and Gracie’s dynamic in the film May December mirrors that of Eve and Margo. However, director Todd Haynes noticed a parallel through a different character. He explained, “The way the script is structured, there are all of these repetitions — it’s more around Joe. It’s sort of like an assembly line of Joes that keep marching through the story. And you almost get to understand who Joe was. You understand the cultures around the objectification of young male bodies through sort of surrogates around the actual character of Joe.”
Haynes further delved into the doubles of Joe, highlighting how various characters and images in the film represent different facets of Joe’s identity. This repetition and circularity within the storytelling process intrigued Haynes, drawing comparisons to similar themes in All About Eve.
Todd Haynes’ Concerns and Plans for Queer Cinema
Reflecting on the evolution of queer cinema since his groundbreaking debut with Poison in 1991, Todd Haynes expressed mixed feelings about the future of LGBTQ+ representation in film. Despite notable queer movies emerging in recent years, Haynes voiced concerns about the fragility of progress. He emphasized the urgent response required during the AIDS era and the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community today.
Haynes remains committed to addressing these challenges in his upcoming projects. His next film, featuring a love story between two men and starring Joaquin Phoenix, marks a return to storytelling territory he has not explored in decades. Excited about this new venture, Haynes aims to confront the threats to queer lives and identities through his art.
How to watch: May December is now streaming on Netflix.
