For the folks asking where Charts is - I’m on my honeymoon and will be taking the next couple of weeks off from the show. I will be doing a couple of quick reviews while I’m away, but I’m taking the bulk of my trip to enjoy a break and time with Mara. I banked several videos for release and things will be totally back to normal in December.
Reality hit when Elizabeth said that’s just what grown ups do in response to him saying he thought they had a connection. It made him think about Gracie when he thought when he was younger that they had a connection but she was an adult and just wanted to have sex. That’s why later he went home and started questioning Gracie which led to an argument
@@lizettelopez100 she is manipulative but children can also be manipulative. She does a lot of immature things throughout this movie. I don’t think she truly views the world like an adult would.
@@blankname6629hey i just watched the movie and i wanted to throw in my thoughts here - honestly, i think her talking abt herself (her being so youthful and naive etc., just giving herself characteristics, that don’t rlly fit into the idea of an adult) is her trying to justify everything she did, to justify her liking in Joe and to make it seem like they’re on the same maturity level. therefore, i think it is important to view her more critically than just "but she is not acting like an adult". she knows very well what she is doing, everytime she says things like that or behaves very immature, she just wants to manipulate and gaslight everyone around her into thinking that the age gap and grooming is okay - including herself. the scene nearby the end of the movie, where she was hunting in the forest, symbolizes her as a literal predator. that’s also when nobody is around and watching or interacting with her, which reflects into the idea that this is her true self. so i think it is important to keep in mind that she knows very well what she is doing and also saying that children are manipulative as well doesn’t make sense bc u can’t hold children with the same responsibility😭😭
You throwing in Charles Melton's name as an award contender has me absolutely gagged, but in the best way. I've only seen him on Riverdale and all of those actors deserve better than that show so to hear that he was S tier is a reminder that he's better outside of CW walls
Having seen the movie, he should be Oscar nominated. I really bought his performance as a man that smoothly mixing between adult and childish behavior that you feel bad for him.
I haven't seen the movie but when I heard that Charles is going to be in a Todd Haynes movie, I knew at some point this guy is definitely going to be Oscar nominated since it's a Todd Haynes movie lol
i saw the movie yesterday and my goodness his performance is absolutely heartbreaking. this movie is PURE psychology and my attention kept getting drawn to him because like what dan said, he’s slowly getting out of JM’s web of abuse and his slow realization of that is so realistic. i had RDJ as a lock for the best supporting actor oscar but mannn Charles is gonna be locked in a close race if he gets recognized AND HE SHOULD.
@@KingCuzco He recently won the Gotham Award for Best Supporting Actor and i think he has a huge shot in winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. The last two winners of Gotham's Supporting Actor went on to win the Oscar for the same category so who knows Charles could be the next one
Coming back to this after just watching the film - 100% agree on Charles Melton's performance. Absolutely stunned me in an already fantastically acted film.
I had the movie on but was not paying full attention until for a moment I stopped to look right when she said “you seduced me” to Joe. I had to start it all over. Very good performance by all the actors. The music was kinda too much for me idk ..🤔
Not sure if it is trying to be subtle, but to me, Gracie killing quails juxtaposed to Joe nurturing monarch butterflies might’ve been a bit heavy handed with symbolism and imagery. He is trying to nurture something to allow it to grow, the theme of growing up, changing, so many experiences he was denied, and also how raising caterpillars to butterflies is such a common childhood/school thing. I really wonder about the former son, if he really made up the lies about his mom or if they were true. Yeah Natalie Portmans character is messed up. Lost in her character. Anyway, this was interesting with how many stories like this are coming out now
When I first heard the title, I assumed the movie was titled like that because the movie had its Cannes premiere back in May and its going to be out on Netflix this December 😂
I loved the soundtrack it was so melodramatic and oppressive. It felt like it was “The Truth” of the situation. Everyone tries to downplay, ignore or soften the events and it’s clear to see everyone is putting on several different personas. So the soundtrack to me serves as a way of saying this is much too powerful and brutal to ever ignore.
I seem to remember there was a case like this with an older woman and a young boy that eventually got married. This was at least 10 years ago, so I forget the details. Interesting but creepy.
I think you're referring to Mary Kay LeTourneau. Teacher who had a sexual"relationship" with a student who got fired and arrested and eventually married the guy. I think she died from cancer?
Definitely added this to the list to try to catch. If you haven't seen it yet and have the time I recommend checking out The Holdovers, would love your thoughts on it. I really enjoyed it.
I had heard about this film but I didn't know what it was about. Wow, this sounds fascinating. I don't have Netflix, but I'm going to get it once this drops. Thanks for the review Dan!
Seeing the existing reviews give me hope for something like a new Notes on a Scandal, but this review makes it sound at least a little bit more subtle?
Time To Chart With Me Weekend Domestic Box Office Chart for November 10, 2023. The Marvels Number 1 But Its First Weekend It Made $47,000,000 So Here The Top 10 In Full. 1 The Marvels 2 Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour 4 Priscilla 5 Killers of the Flower Moon 6 The Holdovers 7 Journey to Bethlehem 8 PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie 9 Radical 10 The Exorcist: Believer
I haven't seen it yet, is this a folie à deux? I also am only halfway through your review lol, so maybe you bring that up. The "based on" story has always fascinated me for a number of reasons. Firstly, I watched it unfold in real time. Mary Kay is from my adopted area, Orange County, CA, and we couldn't escape it. Her father was a well known John Bircher, which is the, "send all of the gays to an island" guy. Yikes. And many of us believed that her deep delusions were born out of her own father's abuse of her. So much came out during that time that no one even talks about any longer, but it's available. People should be aware of these things, since instead of kids going out and getting into relationships at too early of an age, they're now doing it online in far greater numbers.
If Netflix can snag Natalie Portman and even Julianne Moore then it may well be worth the time to watch. I didn't know that this was based on a true story.
Charles Melton is talented. This Performance isn’t Oscar/Emmy material. This Movie benefits from the Performance of the cast and is limited by the supbar script and Directing. The Concept is intriguing but scene by scene it misses the mark.
Terrible movie! One of the worst I’ve seen in a while. I was shocked at how bad the acting was by 2 of the best actresses In Hollywood. I was seriously shocked. Hell the damn music became a character in itself and it was horrible. Pretty shocked you liked this over acted over dramatized movie.
I completely agree that for me the best performance in this was Charles Melton. He’s just incredible in this film and his performance has stayed with me. He should absolutely get an Oscar nomination.
Agreed, the fact that he managed to stand against two Academy Award Winning Actresses and stole the show from both of them is a testament how talented he absolutely is. It's hard to overshadowed Julianne and Natalie in a movie if both were the leads in a movie but damn Charles surprisingly did it by carrying the movie in his back
The only thing that stayed with me was the size of his fake phallus in this sex scene. Lol. I love all the emotional comments about this movie and how it's so moving and deep. When all it was is a taboo soft core porn movie. 😂
Great review. It’s a movie about character study. I’m watching Joe’s relationship with his kids and it seemed more like big brother than father. I love the metaphor at the end with the snake with Natalie filming a scene with young actor Joe being seduced with a snake asking her if it bites and her saying “it’s not that kind of snake.”
The slow unpeeling Gracie's true colors while being studied by Elizabeth was very hard to watch, especially after watching the infamous interview with Mary Kay Letourneau refusing to accept any wrongdoing.
@@sayakchoudhury9711 he just won the NY film critics ward for best supporting actor. I suspect on back of these he will gain momentum with Golden Globe noms announced in a week or so.
I think they took some of the gravity out of this story by not making her his former teacher. That is a significant part of the story that she was a teacher, a person of authority and power, having a "relationship" with one of her young students. I think the truth hits harder than just some weird woman that had an "affair" with a kid that worked at the same pet shop. It was beyond obvious that this is pretty much the Mary Kay Letourneau story. There were many direct references and copying of images. The kid did have some sexual experience before her and he was the one who pursued her. She just was totally mental and thought their "love" was special and meant to be. Rather childlike herself. Not that that gets her off the hook at all because she was the adult and especially as his teacher responsible for handling that situation appropriately and nip his advances in the bud right away. Not have some delusional romantic view of their "relationship".
I was waiting for this comment! I'm familiar with the real story, so this movie threw me off a little. I thought it was done well, but it also felt very disjointed.
I’d say they did a decent job replacing that aspect. They didn’t just work at the same shop, Gracie was pretty much his boss/manager. It puts her in the same mentor role that a teacher has but makes it more creepy because Gracie was the one who recommended him to work there.
@@anonomit8229 I also think that the change of scenery was meant to be symbolical. It was a pet shop with lots of reptiles including snakes, which in western cultures are portrayed to be sly and conniving, possibly what Gracie was deep within.
Because of that, i think he has a huge shot in winning the Oscar. The last two Gotham Supporting Actor win went on to win the Oscar for the same category so god knows if Charles could make a win for the third time
I hope people who are interested in this movie actually do read up on the history behind this - it's the rape case of Vili Fualaau by his school teacher Mary Kay Latourneau, who went to jail for almost 10 years for her crime. They had 2 children together (first one when the victim was only 14) and she died of cancer just in the last few years.
And now in recent interview,when he is in the age of what his rapist/wife,he said if he wpuld be attracted to a 12 years old girl,he would seek for help.
I agree. Charles Melton killed that role. And partly it's because the perspective of his character is the one I was most interested in hearing and understanding. It was his slow realization (and that of his real-life counterpart) that he had, in fact, been abused, and the abuse was still happening, that was so heartbreaking. Charles Melton did an amazing job of portraying the character grappling with that reality, and with the fact that his development had been arrested. His own children had to show him how to be a child or adolescent (like when he smoked weed for the first time with his son), and Natalie Portman's character explained to him "what adults do," because mentally, he really wasn't one yet. (That scene was especially sad, btw, because it just reinforced for him that "what adults do" is use and abuse vulnerable people.)
I remember being like seven years old and watching the Mary Kay Letourneau case and thinking how gross it was. The fact that this movie looks like it is a very loose fictionalization of the story--to the point where the actors bring her and her victim/husband Vili to mind--was definitely a choice and I'm not sure how I feel about that. It's like the filmmaker was doing their best not to get sued? I'm interested to see it based on this review, though.
They actually did. This movie had a screening at the Cannes Film Festival back in May with widespread critical acclaim reactions and it's going to be out on Netflix this December. So there you go 😂
This is one of those movies that critics love but is not really an enjoyable experience to watch that I doubt most people will watch more than once. It’s not as clever as it thinks it is either. Joe’s hobby is watching the life cycle of a butterfly. That’s very on the nose for what this story is about and not really a realistic hobby for most people. Just strictly device used for analogy purposes.
Charles Melton really portrayed the lasting effects and ramifications of the decisions you make that really stunned him from growing up keeping a childlike mindset or just being emotionally hardened due to the manipulation and abuse of Gracie, she wanted Joe to console her to make sure she felt good or more in a way accepting of the decisions she made and she is the victim in the situation even though she’s not the victim. With her making him feel responsible for the situation, I don’t think this allowed Joe to express the way he is feeling, there was no consoling him due to Gracie since he is the one who put them in this situation rather than taking accountability for her own actions. It is amazing movie to watch the dynamics of the relationships also how everyone views the relationship, there was even one scene mentioning her previous 4 children from her previous marriage and the implications of her decisions on the relationships she has with them and her ex-husband there was no reason for Elizabeth to question them because everyone is okay with her being with Joe. In reality nobody accepted it, hee children are still angry with her, her ex-husband still trying to come to terms with the relationship she has with Joe once again how she manipulates the situation that everyone should console her. There is also too Elizabeth being manipulative seeing Gracie has the emotional abusive person as she is, even though Elizabeth manipulates the situation to make sure it was for her gain. The reason for the breakdown of the relationship between Elizabeth and Gracie she sees that she is manipulative as well trying to take control over the situation because the more she digs to find more information is the more she loses control over the situation. She doesn’t want Joe to grow up and realize how manipulative she is that he learns to grieve through the experience of the relationship he has with her to see that he wasn’t mature enough to deal with the situation. Everyone who is young can be naive and manipulated to make certain decisions the one thing that many teens don’t notice is that the consequences of their actions outside of the dynamics of the relationship, it may of been great to have sex in the moment but he probably didn’t realize that I’m going to be responsible for raising these children until they are 18 while he is struggling with being emotionally in grade 7 due to the abuse he experienced from Gracie
Hope you're enjoying your break Dan! I've not read any stories about the SAG strike ending as I trust you to give us the best breakdown of the actual situation. Looking forward to hopefully your eventual breakdown of what was negotiated
I keep trying to watch this movie but the soundtrack is like nails on chalkboard. It's SO DISTRACTING. The movie sounds good from this review but unless they release a version without that crime against humanity of a soundtrack, I don't think I'm going to finish it.
I wonder if short theater runs of movies like this from Netflix will become more important to the livelihood of theaters over the next year or two? The writers and actors strike has delayed so many big movies that I worry about the finances of many local cinemas that won't have nearly as many blockbusters to fill seats and sell concessions.
Charles was the best performer of this film. He definitely deserves recognition. I love Natalie Partman so much, but I was just not really believing her performance in this, I was very torn on it. Julianne Moore was probably the second best performance in this, but rarely does she disappoint. I thought the film was OK, I just didn’t understand what the point was, if only to show the Mary Kay story or rather exploit it, you just never get any understanding of what this film is really about. The cinematography was amazing and directing style, but the screenplay was kind of lacking. I would give this 3.5 out of 5 and that’s only because the performances were good as I mentioned. Otherwise, I found it unbelievable and Natalie overacted a bit too much for my liking, also no they never explain her motivations at the end which is why it didn’t work for me.
That's what I didn't understand about Portman in this movie... She seemed disingenuous. Perhaps this was intentional? She was almost a caricature of an actor. I just read the wiki for the movie and it was described as having "campy humour". Movie's also contending in the Golden Globes under comedy/musical apparently. What?! I wonder if the "campy humour" was Portman, because maybe I can kinda see it...? Although I laughed zero times while watching this movie.
@@runninginsept lol I think the only thing funny was the music, but quite weird when she goes to the back room of the pet shop and has her climax or whatever that was. I was rethinking it, I guess the whole point of the movie is just some random weirdo fly on the wall to exploit these people for fun? I mean, it's an interesting take but still seems kind of pointless but maybe there is no point in the end. I am just trying to figure out what the real point of this film is. Did you get anything out of it? I feel like I might need to rewatch this but not sure if it's worth my time.
@@crystinamarie1 Someone mentioned that this movie was more a character study, which I tend to agree with. Julianne Moore and Charles Meston are both amazing here. If Portman's awkward performance was intentional, then she did a good job unsettling me (maybe us both?). I think the story is important to highlight that women are just as - maybe more - capable of insidious abuse. I think the director did a phenomenal job giving us glimpses of Gracie's abuse that mirrors the glass case effect. You're outside looking in and you know, but you're powerless about it all. The line where Gracie told Elizabeth that she knew what Georgie had shared, and that she talked to him everyday, sent chills down my spine. That was such a mindfxck. In his review, Dan mentioned that "we knew what it was in the end", although I honestly didn't. But we can approach it logically. MKL was rumoured to have NPD. Narcissists will stop at nothing to maintain their self-image. Gracie's deepest secret destroys that self image. Therefore, she will undermine whomever/whatever seeks to spread it. Because Georgie has established a sort of bridge with Elizabeth (giving E the impression that he and Gracie are on opposing sides), Gracie must destroy that impression. Therefore, that she and Georgie "speak everyday" is a lie. At least, I will choose to see it that way.
@@runninginsept interesting. I've never heard of the glass case effect. You have a great take on this. Yea in that last scene, how she indicated as if she knew about the "tryst". Honestly, it's possible Gracie did know. Because that loyalty from Georgie. I think he probably did end up revealing that to Gracie. But what's your theory on Elizabeth's strange and unsettling behavior in this? Especially when she wasn't around Gracie but more on her own engaging in Gracie's mannerisms? And that monologue. I am just lost on that.
I won’t lie, checked out for cast lineup. Was slow, was very confused. I was also a bit bored. I mainly was shook when the sex scene happened because of how graphic it was. I felt as though Natalie was obsessed with the story, and a method actor trying to become her.
Yep, this was a Lifetime movie, right down to that awful soundtrack. While I enjoyed the film, I didn't enjoy what I was watching happening. Oddly enough, I found myself despising Elizabeth and making more excuses for Gracie, partly because Elizabeth was such a selfish clod who abused Joe twice (once with the movie and second with seducing him). I appreciate what he was going for with this, but I definitely liked Far From Heaven much more (but LOVED Dark Waters).
I'm listening to the audiobook about Mary Kay Letourneau called IF LOVING YOU IS WRONG and boy howdy there was no way Mary was going to turn out any kind of normal after being raised in that home. Soo many deep details. The book does go on sometimes about details that aren't pertinent, but I haven't lost interest once and I lose focus easily. People don't look deeper than what is happening on the surface with true crime cases. We need to go deeper into the roots and start healing those so it doesn't keep happening. A disconnected and angry or non existent mother allows all kind of havoc to walk into a childs life, even from their own father.
I just watched this last night on NetFlix. Definitely one of the most underlyingly uncomfortable and nuanced Dramas in years. But this is what Todd Haynes does. And is good at. For the film to be only nominated for one Oscar (Best Original Screenplay) is kind of a travesty. But considering the controversy surrounding "POOR THINGS", I wouldn't doubt that the Academy didn't want to nominate two films with almost a "similar" sexual theme regarding Age, "stunted growth" and "who's the real victim". Other than the fact that Haynes' films tend to not carry mass marketability. Speaking of which... Can we finally acknowledge that Haynes and Moore are pretty much the "Scorcese/DeNiro/DeCaprio" of the Indie Film set?
It’s unwatchable. I watched it but felt super complicit in rehashing a real living child rape victims pain. Like where are the adults in the real world?Yes it’s art, but Netflix is a business and they’re profiting from this. No to it all!
Dude this movie was so slow and terrible. The score was cringy with the soap opera drama to it accompanied by the zooms. Oh my god it was a pathetic movie
Facts about Mary Kay Letourneau: - her father served in Congress, once ran for president and got over a million votes, and was later found to have fathered two kids with a woman who had been a student in a college course he taught - she was first arrested for 2nd degree child rape in 1997, pled guilty, had Vili Fualaa's child, and served three months in prison. After her release, she was ordered to have no contact with him - in 1998, she was arrested for violating her no contact order, gave birth to her second child with him, and was sentenced and served six years - in 1999, she and Fualaa co-authored a book. Since US law forbade them from profiting off the crime, it was published in France. It was titled "Only One Crime, Love."
This actually WAS a couple of crappy TV movies…this is basically the Mary Kay LeTourneau story (whom I believe just actually divorced her longtime husband/abuse victim Fili) and I seem to remember that, back when they still made cheap TV movies, at least one was an adaptation of that tawdry story
This movie is base on a real story of teacher, having a relationship with a 12-year-old student. Then eventually married that student later on, then divorce year after before she passed away. After been married for 14 years with two kids together.
Dan, we need your in-depth sag Ai contract review before the vote. Many members would love to hear your thoughts. It seems very controversial… and lots are planning on voting NO.
For the folks asking where Charts is - I’m on my honeymoon and will be taking the next couple of weeks off from the show. I will be doing a couple of quick reviews while I’m away, but I’m taking the bulk of my trip to enjoy a break and time with Mara. I banked several videos for release and things will be totally back to normal in December.
Enjoy your honeymoon!
Oh, that’s your excuse?
Jk…enjoy your honeymoon!!
Enjoy yourself, and your spouse. Enjoy your(both) time away.....
Damn I hope you have a great honeymoon. I guess I’ll stop refreshing your page looking for the charts though haha.
Congratulations Dan & Mara! As Ron Swanson said, "If you don't believe in love, what's the point of living?"
Reality hit when Elizabeth said that’s just what grown ups do in response to him saying he thought they had a connection. It made him think about Gracie when he thought when he was younger that they had a connection but she was an adult and just wanted to have sex. That’s why later he went home and started questioning Gracie which led to an argument
True but Gracie emotionally is not an adult.
@@blankname6629she is an adult but a manipulative adult
@@lizettelopez100 she is manipulative but children can also be manipulative. She does a lot of immature things throughout this movie. I don’t think she truly views the world like an adult would.
@@Nephew422she was bipolar
@@blankname6629hey i just watched the movie and i wanted to throw in my thoughts here - honestly, i think her talking abt herself (her being so youthful and naive etc., just giving herself characteristics, that don’t rlly fit into the idea of an adult) is her trying to justify everything she did, to justify her liking in Joe and to make it seem like they’re on the same maturity level. therefore, i think it is important to view her more critically than just "but she is not acting like an adult". she knows very well what she is doing, everytime she says things like that or behaves very immature, she just wants to manipulate and gaslight everyone around her into thinking that the age gap and grooming is okay - including herself.
the scene nearby the end of the movie, where she was hunting in the forest, symbolizes her as a literal predator. that’s also when nobody is around and watching or interacting with her, which reflects into the idea that this is her true self.
so i think it is important to keep in mind that she knows very well what she is doing and also saying that children are manipulative as well doesn’t make sense bc u can’t hold children with the same responsibility😭😭
I saw the thumbnail and initially thought this was a summary of the movies released between May and December. lol
100 perfect factual.
His facial expression in the thumbnail definitely would fit that theory!
Well the movie had it's Cannes premiere in MAY and it's going to be on Netflix in DECEMBER 1 lol
me too lol
You throwing in Charles Melton's name as an award contender has me absolutely gagged, but in the best way. I've only seen him on Riverdale and all of those actors deserve better than that show so to hear that he was S tier is a reminder that he's better outside of CW walls
Having seen the movie, he should be Oscar nominated. I really bought his performance as a man that smoothly mixing between adult and childish behavior that you feel bad for him.
I haven't seen the movie but when I heard that Charles is going to be in a Todd Haynes movie, I knew at some point this guy is definitely going to be Oscar nominated since it's a Todd Haynes movie lol
i saw the movie yesterday and my goodness his performance is absolutely heartbreaking. this movie is PURE psychology and my attention kept getting drawn to him because like what dan said, he’s slowly getting out of JM’s web of abuse and his slow realization of that is so realistic. i had RDJ as a lock for the best supporting actor oscar but mannn Charles is gonna be locked in a close race if he gets recognized AND HE SHOULD.
@@KingCuzco He recently won the Gotham Award for Best Supporting Actor and i think he has a huge shot in winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. The last two winners of Gotham's Supporting Actor went on to win the Oscar for the same category so who knows Charles could be the next one
Coming back to this after just watching the film - 100% agree on Charles Melton's performance. Absolutely stunned me in an already fantastically acted film.
Julianna Moore’s performance was so creepy somehow. She is brilliant!
Moore injects a little creepy into every role she does. She is often difficult to watch in my opinion.
I think she was the worst part. She went a bit too far with the speech impediment part.
That’s credit to her acting. I’ve been a big fan of hers since Boogie Nights.
@@dfa3366 nah it reminded me of Ben stiller’s character’s character in tropic Thunder way over done
I had the movie on but was not paying full attention until for a moment I stopped to look right when she said “you seduced me” to Joe. I had to start it all over. Very good performance by all the actors. The music was kinda too much for me idk ..🤔
Not sure if it is trying to be subtle, but to me, Gracie killing quails juxtaposed to Joe nurturing monarch butterflies might’ve been a bit heavy handed with symbolism and imagery. He is trying to nurture something to allow it to grow, the theme of growing up, changing, so many experiences he was denied, and also how raising caterpillars to butterflies is such a common childhood/school thing.
I really wonder about the former son, if he really made up the lies about his mom or if they were true.
Yeah Natalie Portmans character is messed up. Lost in her character.
Anyway, this was interesting with how many stories like this are coming out now
Me reading the title that it would be a review of all movies from May-December this year 😂
When I first heard the title, I assumed the movie was titled like that because the movie had its Cannes premiere back in May and its going to be out on Netflix this December 😂
Been hearing nothing but good things about this film. Not surprised it's getting great reviews.
I'm a huge fan of Todd Haynes' work and so far he hasn't dissapointed me. Dark Waters is probably his most underrated movie
"watching your thoughts" is a Fantastic turn of phrase, it perfectly sums up everything! Thank you!
I loved the soundtrack it was so melodramatic and oppressive. It felt like it was “The Truth” of the situation. Everyone tries to downplay, ignore or soften the events and it’s clear to see everyone is putting on several different personas. So the soundtrack to me serves as a way of saying this is much too powerful and brutal to ever ignore.
I seem to remember there was a case like this with an older woman and a young boy that eventually got married. This was at least 10 years ago, so I forget the details. Interesting but creepy.
I think you're referring to Mary Kay LeTourneau. Teacher who had a sexual"relationship" with a student who got fired and arrested and eventually married the guy. I think she died from cancer?
I definitely recognize that name, so you're probably right.
@@nancykerriganYeah bro..she died from cancer probably in 2020.
It's not just creepy..It's discusting.She was a pedophile of a wost kind.
Definitely added this to the list to try to catch. If you haven't seen it yet and have the time I recommend checking out The Holdovers, would love your thoughts on it. I really enjoyed it.
Imagine if Aaron Taylor Johnson played joe
I had heard about this film but I didn't know what it was about. Wow, this sounds fascinating. I don't have Netflix, but I'm going to get it once this drops. Thanks for the review Dan!
just watched it in the cinema yesterday and i would definitely recommend.
What really made me noticed his performance when he confronted Gracie asking her why they don't talk about how they started. Gracie is pure evil.
It's refreshing to finally see more Asian male actors in Hollywood films. Mixed Asian males but it's a start 🤣
Mary Kay Letourneau?
dont show that movie to emmanuel macron
I’m not sure others will see it this way, but to me Portman is genuinely terrifying in this movie
They are both scary , her and julianna moore
They're essentially 2 sides of the same coin
Seeing the existing reviews give me hope for something like a new Notes on a Scandal, but this review makes it sound at least a little bit more subtle?
Thanks for the review, but what happened to Charts with Dan this week?
The best thing about May December was Cory Michael Smith performance as Georgie
Time To Chart With Me
Weekend Domestic Box Office Chart for November 10, 2023. The Marvels Number 1 But Its First Weekend It Made $47,000,000 So Here The Top 10 In Full.
1 The Marvels
2 Five Nights at Freddy’s
3 Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour
4 Priscilla
5 Killers of the Flower Moon
6 The Holdovers
7 Journey to Bethlehem
8 PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie
9 Radical
10 The Exorcist: Believer
All I knew prior was this is like a Mary Kay LaTourneau movie, but this is much more interesting than I thought.
Great review. I look forward to seeing this film even more now.
I haven't seen it yet, is this a folie à deux? I also am only halfway through your review lol, so maybe you bring that up. The "based on" story has always fascinated me for a number of reasons. Firstly, I watched it unfold in real time. Mary Kay is from my adopted area, Orange County, CA, and we couldn't escape it. Her father was a well known John Bircher, which is the, "send all of the gays to an island" guy. Yikes. And many of us believed that her deep delusions were born out of her own father's abuse of her. So much came out during that time that no one even talks about any longer, but it's available. People should be aware of these things, since instead of kids going out and getting into relationships at too early of an age, they're now doing it online in far greater numbers.
Totally agree about Toni Collette!
A well made movie....that was also boring.
If Netflix can snag Natalie Portman and even Julianne Moore then it may well be worth the time to watch. I didn't know that this was based on a true story.
One of the stupidest films I can ever recall seeing. Once again, the critics have been fooled by complete and utter garbage.
Have a wonderful marriage
and fun honeymoon 😁
Ah yes, classic comedy film may December
Charles Melton is talented. This Performance isn’t Oscar/Emmy material. This Movie benefits from the Performance of the cast and is limited by the supbar script and Directing. The Concept is intriguing but scene by scene it misses the mark.
Terrible movie! One of the worst I’ve seen in a while. I was shocked at how bad the acting was by 2 of the best actresses In Hollywood. I was seriously shocked. Hell the damn music became a character in itself and it was horrible. Pretty shocked you liked this over acted over dramatized movie.
its an amazing, really interesting and original film. so funny
Dan Should do the charts on his honeymoon lol
First? G’Mornin’, Dan!!
I completely agree that for me the best performance in this was Charles Melton. He’s just incredible in this film and his performance has stayed with me. He should absolutely get an Oscar nomination.
Agreed, the fact that he managed to stand against two Academy Award Winning Actresses and stole the show from both of them is a testament how talented he absolutely is. It's hard to overshadowed Julianne and Natalie in a movie if both were the leads in a movie but damn Charles surprisingly did it by carrying the movie in his back
@@K0m30ng I was really touched by his performance.
Have you watched the right movie? With Natalie’s performance on it, guuuurl
The only thing that stayed with me was the size of his fake phallus in this sex scene. Lol. I love all the emotional comments about this movie and how it's so moving and deep. When all it was is a taboo soft core porn movie. 😂
Great review. It’s a movie about character study. I’m watching Joe’s relationship with his kids and it seemed more like big brother than father. I love the metaphor at the end with the snake with Natalie filming a scene with young actor Joe being seduced with a snake asking her if it bites and her saying “it’s not that kind of snake.”
The irony being that there actually WAS a snake that bit between all of them, and that was her - she was the real predator.
The slow unpeeling Gracie's true colors while being studied by Elizabeth was very hard to watch, especially after watching the infamous interview with Mary Kay Letourneau refusing to accept any wrongdoing.
I am so happy for Charles!! Hope he gets the recognition. Rooting for him.
He won the Gotham award for best supporting performance against some tough competitors - therefore, Oscar nom/win chances got better
@@bbcbbc1717 that's great!
@@sayakchoudhury9711 he just won the NY film critics ward for best supporting actor. I suspect on back of these he will gain momentum with Golden Globe noms announced in a week or so.
I only liked the first two Riverdale seasons. And now he's in a Todd Haynes movie with Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore made me so proud of him
Charles Melton was ACT-ING in this movie! I was so impressed with him. Good for him and I hope he gets more roles that show his range
I think they took some of the gravity out of this story by not making her his former teacher. That is a significant part of the story that she was a teacher, a person of authority and power, having a "relationship" with one of her young students. I think the truth hits harder than just some weird woman that had an "affair" with a kid that worked at the same pet shop. It was beyond obvious that this is pretty much the Mary Kay Letourneau story. There were many direct references and copying of images. The kid did have some sexual experience before her and he was the one who pursued her. She just was totally mental and thought their "love" was special and meant to be. Rather childlike herself. Not that that gets her off the hook at all because she was the adult and especially as his teacher responsible for handling that situation appropriately and nip his advances in the bud right away. Not have some delusional romantic view of their "relationship".
I was waiting for this comment! I'm familiar with the real story, so this movie threw me off a little. I thought it was done well, but it also felt very disjointed.
I’d say they did a decent job replacing that aspect. They didn’t just work at the same shop, Gracie was pretty much his boss/manager. It puts her in the same mentor role that a teacher has but makes it more creepy because Gracie was the one who recommended him to work there.
@@anonomit8229 I also think that the change of scenery was meant to be symbolical. It was a pet shop with lots of reptiles including snakes, which in western cultures are portrayed to be sly and conniving, possibly what Gracie was deep within.
I've always said the Riverdale actors are actually really good but have to deliver cringey material 😂
You can say the same about the Twilight actors. A franchise filled with a lot of talented people but were forced to read cringy lines in Twilight 😂
@@K0m30ngrobert is one of my fav especially in the lighthouse wich is my favorite performance from him
Charles Melton was shockingly great. He deserves all the flowers
You were so right. Charles Melton just won Best Supporting at the Gotham Awards.
Because of that, i think he has a huge shot in winning the Oscar. The last two Gotham Supporting Actor win went on to win the Oscar for the same category so god knows if Charles could make a win for the third time
@@K0m30ng Yes as he won the New York Film Critics Award too....Oscar in sight ♥️
I hope people who are interested in this movie actually do read up on the history behind this - it's the rape case of Vili Fualaau by his school teacher Mary Kay Latourneau, who went to jail for almost 10 years for her crime. They had 2 children together (first one when the victim was only 14) and she died of cancer just in the last few years.
And now in recent interview,when he is in the age of what his rapist/wife,he said if he wpuld be attracted to a 12 years old girl,he would seek for help.
For the record, Lifetime is still cranking out those trashy original movies. It wasn't just a 90s thing.
I agree. Charles Melton killed that role. And partly it's because the perspective of his character is the one I was most interested in hearing and understanding. It was his slow realization (and that of his real-life counterpart) that he had, in fact, been abused, and the abuse was still happening, that was so heartbreaking. Charles Melton did an amazing job of portraying the character grappling with that reality, and with the fact that his development had been arrested. His own children had to show him how to be a child or adolescent (like when he smoked weed for the first time with his son), and Natalie Portman's character explained to him "what adults do," because mentally, he really wasn't one yet. (That scene was especially sad, btw, because it just reinforced for him that "what adults do" is use and abuse vulnerable people.)
I remember being like seven years old and watching the Mary Kay Letourneau case and thinking how gross it was. The fact that this movie looks like it is a very loose fictionalization of the story--to the point where the actors bring her and her victim/husband Vili to mind--was definitely a choice and I'm not sure how I feel about that. It's like the filmmaker was doing their best not to get sued? I'm interested to see it based on this review, though.
The acting was sensational but Melton was amazing.
they really should've released this film in May and then done a rerelease in December
They actually did. This movie had a screening at the Cannes Film Festival back in May with widespread critical acclaim reactions and it's going to be out on Netflix this December. So there you go 😂
This is one of those movies that critics love but is not really an enjoyable experience to watch that I doubt most people will watch more than once. It’s not as clever as it thinks it is either. Joe’s hobby is watching the life cycle of a butterfly. That’s very on the nose for what this story is about and not really a realistic hobby for most people. Just strictly device used for analogy purposes.
Charles Melton really portrayed the lasting effects and ramifications of the decisions you make that really stunned him from growing up keeping a childlike mindset or just being emotionally hardened due to the manipulation and abuse of Gracie, she wanted Joe to console her to make sure she felt good or more in a way accepting of the decisions she made and she is the victim in the situation even though she’s not the victim. With her making him feel responsible for the situation, I don’t think this allowed Joe to express the way he is feeling, there was no consoling him due to Gracie since he is the one who put them in this situation rather than taking accountability for her own actions. It is amazing movie to watch the dynamics of the relationships also how everyone views the relationship, there was even one scene mentioning her previous 4 children from her previous marriage and the implications of her decisions on the relationships she has with them and her ex-husband there was no reason for Elizabeth to question them because everyone is okay with her being with Joe. In reality nobody accepted it, hee children are still angry with her, her ex-husband still trying to come to terms with the relationship she has with Joe once again how she manipulates the situation that everyone should console her. There is also too Elizabeth being manipulative seeing Gracie has the emotional abusive person as she is, even though Elizabeth manipulates the situation to make sure it was for her gain. The reason for the breakdown of the relationship between Elizabeth and Gracie she sees that she is manipulative as well trying to take control over the situation because the more she digs to find more information is the more she loses control over the situation. She doesn’t want Joe to grow up and realize how manipulative she is that he learns to grieve through the experience of the relationship he has with her to see that he wasn’t mature enough to deal with the situation. Everyone who is young can be naive and manipulated to make certain decisions the one thing that many teens don’t notice is that the consequences of their actions outside of the dynamics of the relationship, it may of been great to have sex in the moment but he probably didn’t realize that I’m going to be responsible for raising these children until they are 18 while he is struggling with being emotionally in grade 7 due to the abuse he experienced from Gracie
Hope you're enjoying your break Dan! I've not read any stories about the SAG strike ending as I trust you to give us the best breakdown of the actual situation. Looking forward to hopefully your eventual breakdown of what was negotiated
I keep trying to watch this movie but the soundtrack is like nails on chalkboard. It's SO DISTRACTING. The movie sounds good from this review but unless they release a version without that crime against humanity of a soundtrack, I don't think I'm going to finish it.
I wonder if short theater runs of movies like this from Netflix will become more important to the livelihood of theaters over the next year or two? The writers and actors strike has delayed so many big movies that I worry about the finances of many local cinemas that won't have nearly as many blockbusters to fill seats and sell concessions.
Charles was the best performer of this film. He definitely deserves recognition. I love Natalie Partman so much, but I was just not really believing her performance in this, I was very torn on it. Julianne Moore was probably the second best performance in this, but rarely does she disappoint. I thought the film was OK, I just didn’t understand what the point was, if only to show the Mary Kay story or rather exploit it, you just never get any understanding of what this film is really about. The cinematography was amazing and directing style, but the screenplay was kind of lacking. I would give this 3.5 out of 5 and that’s only because the performances were good as I mentioned. Otherwise, I found it unbelievable and Natalie overacted a bit too much for my liking, also no they never explain her motivations at the end which is why it didn’t work for me.
That's what I didn't understand about Portman in this movie... She seemed disingenuous. Perhaps this was intentional? She was almost a caricature of an actor.
I just read the wiki for the movie and it was described as having "campy humour". Movie's also contending in the Golden Globes under comedy/musical apparently. What?!
I wonder if the "campy humour" was Portman, because maybe I can kinda see it...? Although I laughed zero times while watching this movie.
@@runninginsept lol I think the only thing funny was the music, but quite weird when she goes to the back room of the pet shop and has her climax or whatever that was. I was rethinking it, I guess the whole point of the movie is just some random weirdo fly on the wall to exploit these people for fun? I mean, it's an interesting take but still seems kind of pointless but maybe there is no point in the end. I am just trying to figure out what the real point of this film is. Did you get anything out of it? I feel like I might need to rewatch this but not sure if it's worth my time.
@@crystinamarie1 Someone mentioned that this movie was more a character study, which I tend to agree with. Julianne Moore and Charles Meston are both amazing here. If Portman's awkward performance was intentional, then she did a good job unsettling me (maybe us both?).
I think the story is important to highlight that women are just as - maybe more - capable of insidious abuse. I think the director did a phenomenal job giving us glimpses of Gracie's abuse that mirrors the glass case effect. You're outside looking in and you know, but you're powerless about it all.
The line where Gracie told Elizabeth that she knew what Georgie had shared, and that she talked to him everyday, sent chills down my spine. That was such a mindfxck. In his review, Dan mentioned that "we knew what it was in the end", although I honestly didn't. But we can approach it logically.
MKL was rumoured to have NPD. Narcissists will stop at nothing to maintain their self-image. Gracie's deepest secret destroys that self image. Therefore, she will undermine whomever/whatever seeks to spread it. Because Georgie has established a sort of bridge with Elizabeth (giving E the impression that he and Gracie are on opposing sides), Gracie must destroy that impression.
Therefore, that she and Georgie "speak everyday" is a lie. At least, I will choose to see it that way.
@@runninginsept interesting. I've never heard of the glass case effect. You have a great take on this. Yea in that last scene, how she indicated as if she knew about the "tryst". Honestly, it's possible Gracie did know. Because that loyalty from Georgie. I think he probably did end up revealing that to Gracie. But what's your theory on Elizabeth's strange and unsettling behavior in this? Especially when she wasn't around Gracie but more on her own engaging in Gracie's mannerisms? And that monologue. I am just lost on that.
Charles Melton most definitely deserves an Oscar. One of the best performances I've seen this year 🔥
I can't get over how jarringly sped up the shot at 1:16 is
Dan are you going to do a review of the Holdovers?
I won’t lie, checked out for cast lineup. Was slow, was very confused. I was also a bit bored. I mainly was shook when the sex scene happened because of how graphic it was. I felt as though Natalie was obsessed with the story, and a method actor trying to become her.
It was uncomfortably realistic especially with the kissing and breathing sounds that made you feel like you were in their space.
Melton stole the film with that performance.
Yep, this was a Lifetime movie, right down to that awful soundtrack. While I enjoyed the film, I didn't enjoy what I was watching happening. Oddly enough, I found myself despising Elizabeth and making more excuses for Gracie, partly because Elizabeth was such a selfish clod who abused Joe twice (once with the movie and second with seducing him). I appreciate what he was going for with this, but I definitely liked Far From Heaven much more (but LOVED Dark Waters).
Excellent review. I tend not to think as deeply about acting choices and these reviews give me more to enjoy.
I'm listening to the audiobook about Mary Kay Letourneau called IF LOVING YOU IS WRONG and boy howdy there was no way Mary was going to turn out any kind of normal after being raised in that home. Soo many deep details. The book does go on sometimes about details that aren't pertinent, but I haven't lost interest once and I lose focus easily. People don't look deeper than what is happening on the surface with true crime cases. We need to go deeper into the roots and start healing those so it doesn't keep happening. A disconnected and angry or non existent mother allows all kind of havoc to walk into a childs life, even from their own father.
He needs an award for that performance but will not get it. It was such a nuanced way to play it. I was so impressed.
You hit every single point in your review! Yo! I had to take off my glasses 👓 to see if we were wearing the same ones!
Totally agree with you 💯
This sounds very interesting, Dan definitely made me intrigued, but it also just sounds like such a bad time lmao
This movie made me scared for young people. Hope theyl get protected at all times. 😮
I just watched this last night on NetFlix.
Definitely one of the most underlyingly uncomfortable and nuanced Dramas in years.
But this is what Todd Haynes does.
And is good at.
For the film to be only nominated for one Oscar (Best Original Screenplay) is kind of a travesty.
But considering the controversy surrounding "POOR THINGS", I wouldn't doubt that the Academy didn't want to nominate two films with almost a "similar" sexual theme regarding Age, "stunted growth" and "who's the real victim". Other than the fact that Haynes' films tend to not carry mass marketability.
Speaking of which...
Can we finally acknowledge that Haynes and Moore are pretty much the "Scorcese/DeNiro/DeCaprio" of the Indie Film set?
Rewatching this review... now I know where Charles Melton's award-season jinx comes from. Al least he got further than other Dan's award-season pet.
It’s unwatchable. I watched it but felt super complicit in rehashing a real living child rape victims pain. Like where are the adults in the real world?Yes it’s art, but Netflix is a business and they’re profiting from this. No to it all!
I had eaten a 100 mil edible and was peeking when he stars talking about Natalie Portman’s work
Watching Melton's Joe getting high felt too real
Insecure people are very dangerous , aren't they ? I'm secure . That's the most bone chilling line I've ever heard in film .
Dude this movie was so slow and terrible. The score was cringy with the soap opera drama to it accompanied by the zooms. Oh my god it was a pathetic movie
The real story was waaaay worse 😢😢😢😢 im so sorry for this child who was preyed upon
Netflix says it's a horror movie, but then again they said the movie was good too🤥
I am halfway thru and this just might be the most boring movie I have ever seen.
I’m looking forward to seeing this because Far From Heaven is one of my favorite films!
Can someone just tell me why Julianne Moore had to do that awful lisp
Facts about Mary Kay Letourneau:
- her father served in Congress, once ran for president and got over a million votes, and was later found to have fathered two kids with a woman who had been a student in a college course he taught
- she was first arrested for 2nd degree child rape in 1997, pled guilty, had Vili Fualaa's child, and served three months in prison. After her release, she was ordered to have no contact with him
- in 1998, she was arrested for violating her no contact order, gave birth to her second child with him, and was sentenced and served six years
- in 1999, she and Fualaa co-authored a book. Since US law forbade them from profiting off the crime, it was published in France. It was titled "Only One Crime, Love."
This actually WAS a couple of crappy TV movies…this is basically the Mary Kay LeTourneau story (whom I believe just actually divorced her longtime husband/abuse victim Fili) and I seem to remember that, back when they still made cheap TV movies, at least one was an adaptation of that tawdry story
I might give it a watch but while I appreciate what you say about the movie, it might not be my thing
Wasn't on my radar but may check it out
This movie is base on a real story of teacher, having a relationship with a 12-year-old student. Then eventually married that student later on, then divorce year after before she passed away. After been married for 14 years with two kids together.
Wait, do the real people live on Tybee? Because... awkward...
I'm sure you get this a lot but, I absolutely love your videos. YOU'RE THE BEST
Review The Holdovers
helping algorithm while Fans away
So it's a film about a film about a character. How meta!
sounds suprisingly strong
Really great analysis
Julianne Moore. ❤
Dan, we need your in-depth sag Ai contract review before the vote. Many members would love to hear your thoughts. It seems very controversial… and lots are planning on voting NO.
I’m on my honeymoon until the last week of November. May swing around and cover when I get back.
@@DanMurrellMovies wonderful! And congratulations! Have fun! Be well!!
Will be on Netflix Dec 1.
Loved this. One of the year's best
❤❤❤😊
Waiting for Charts with Dan
I don't think we're getting that this week, since Dan's currently on his honeymoon... This was most likely pre-taped...