May December

“Who was in charge?” Julianne Moore continues to prove that she is one of the greatest living actors today and Natalie Portman gives one of her best performances to date. AND STILL, Riverdale actor Charles Melton outacts both of them by a MILE. I went between 4.5 and 5 stars for this one, but I just can’t stop thinking about this film. Fucking brilliant. The character construction here, from script to actor to director, is kinda beyond words. You have Moore and Portman, both of whose characters only reveal more and more of their layered intentions, contrasting Melton, who you largely understand from the beginning, yet he doesn’t understand himself yet, and he takes you on a heart-wrenching journey of discovery. You truly do feel like you’re watching a 13 year old in a 30 year old’s body, whose mind and heart were frozen in time when his innocence was stolen from him. Even his subtle mannerisms felt all-too relatable as I’ve seen myself tremble the same ways when confronting my own similar experiences. And much like Mysterious Skin, the lack of real resolution is what lingers the most. GODDD this film was so good and I only wish I’d watched it sooner Community quote: “I was 13.”