May December

AroView: Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman make a formidable double-act in this fascinating, multi-layered drama about an actress doing field research with the woman she is set to play in a movie – one vilified (and convicted) for her notorious romance with a seventh grader whom she later married.

Inspired by a real-life scandal, director Todd Haynes frames a scenario and character dynamic that is thrillingly unfamiliar, yet part of a canon of films that thoughtfully interrogate the blurry lines between art and life.

“Haynes has done something spellbinding here: heady, grown-up and committed to a refreshing dose of moral ambiguity at a time in cinema where moral pandering sadly seems to be the default.” ~Tomris Laffly, TheWrap

“It’s a closely focused character study, galvanised by the tremendous performances from Portman and Moore, which delves into areas more conventional dramas don’t go near.” ~Geoffrey Macnab, The Independent