May
Starring: Angela Bettis, Jeremy Sisto, Anna Faris
Writer and Director: Lucky McKee
****Spoilers****
In some ways I can kind of relate to May, at least how she is in the beginning stages of this film. I was always that person too chicken shit to talk to an attractive lady in a passerby situation, and if I ever did muster up enough backbone it was an incredibly clumsy attempt at interacting. I'm sure many of us are/were like that, and I'm certain Lucky McKee himself connects. Though, my weird qualities weren't from a strange family upbringing or being raised by a seriously fucked up Mom; I just simply was that way. May, the character, never had a chance at being a regular person. Right from childhood, she was forced into wearing a patch over her lazy eye by her Mother; not exactly a key ingredient to help build a healthy friend base. Even furthering May's destined to be poor as shit social skills, dear ole Mom gives her a creepy ass doll as a birthday present. She made this thing herself and encased it in a glass box. Suzie, the doll, will be May's best friend (her only friend, actually) until she becomes a young adult.
Fast forward:
May (Angela Bettis) is in her 20's, now living on her own and works at a veterinary clinic as a surgery assistant. Her lazy eye is held in upright position thanks to glasses and eventually with a special pair of contacts. She's very socially awkward, and goes to Suzie the doll for advice on everything, but she begins to realize that there needs to be a human companion in her life. Walking around town one day, she falls in love with a pair of hands stroking a car, and develops a crush for Adam (Jeremy Sisto), the man attached to them; but more so, she's all about the hands. They eventually hit it off and kinda date, until Adam gets a little too weirded out by May's morbid reaction to a short horror film he made. Relationship: DONE. This is just the beginning of many failed attempts at normality, and all the rejections in life seem to be pulling her closer to the profile of a psychopath over a mere social misfit.
Don't be expecting all out horror here; Lucky McKee pulls you in slowly with what at first comes off feeling like a quirky and romantic dark comedy. If you were to rip away the very opening scene, you'd most likely not think that things are going to go horribly batshit wrong. This changes maybe midway through, after the results of a make out session between Adam and May. Later, she slowly begins to go from timid and strange to confident and calculated in her actions. It's almost two movies blended together with perfection. Make no mistake, it is a horror film, but it takes some time to get to that point. This is not a bad thing; the leading up to the chaos is full of excellent storytelling, solid characters, brilliant production design, and amazing cinematography. Out of the past decade, it's one of the scant few films that really stuck with me for a long time.
Wow, never woulda guessed this baby had a tiny budget of $500,000; the movie is freakin' beautiful! McKee and crew cut corners every step of the way, turning bedrooms into an optometrist clinic, Lucky uses his Dad and crew-members as cameos and extras, etc... it all works. There's a lot of tight shots in the film to hide the cash restraints. Production and costume design blend together, like the walls of May's room matching the clothes that she sews herself, and a skirt of one of the actresses being the same design of a couch. The color scheme is amazing, too. Everything is so vibrant and gorgeous. Also totally dig on the editing work in this flick, especially after May loses her marbles. There's time jumps fused in with scenes of what's going on in the present, sometimes even a montage of everything that leads up to the madness is thrown in... fucking brilliant, really.
Now diving into the acting.
Angela Bettis (Toolbox Murders remake) pretty much amplifies my adoration for this movie times infinity! The character's quirkiness is so entirely adorable, irresistible and strangely sexy; it was love at first sight for me. Every little thing Bettis does as May -whether it be trying to correctly hold a cigarette in hopes of impressing Adam, or how her eyes follow the body parts of people she interacts with- is perfect. I totally crushed on May, the way she walks, talks, and dives into madness; I forgive you for what you end up doing, dear.
Supporting cast is pretty damn on point, too. Jeremy Sisto (Dead & Breakfast) plays Adam, the main love interest. Much like May can't be blamed for the way she is, it's also perfectly understandable that Adam becomes terrified of her. He's not really a bad guy, he wants to like her, but she's pretty messed up. Sisto is desirable as the stud muffin and his voice is as enchanting as the tricks of a magician... really dig the guy. Anna Faris (Smiley Face) stars as Polly, the dimwitted, albeit sexy lesbian receptionist at the Veterinary clinic. Not quite as stupified as her role in the Scary Movie series, but at the same time not too far removed from that persona, either. I love Faris and always look forward to seeing her in something other than the 50th sequel to a parody film that ran dry about ten years ago. And you're never gonna hear me complain about a Faris/Bettis make out scene... EVER.
Also, Nicole Hiltz plays Polly's bitchy but gorgeous lover on the side, and James Duval (Donnie Darko) is Blank, a local punk rocker with an addiction to Ju Ju Beans (fucking yuck! Only thing I hate more is Candy Corn).
9 times outta 10 I despise a bunch of rock songs thrown into a movie soundtrack, because they're usually from a bands that I find really shitty. Gotta say I was totally all for Breeders and Kelley Deal songs being put into May; It adds that much more charm to the already terribly sweet scenes. The film score itself is awesome, too, especially in the scene where May is getting all spruced up for Halloween in the film's final segments.
I'm not going to get too deep into the grue element. While I'm sure most people have seen the film already, some may have not. As previously mentioned, that kinda stuff doesn't come in until much later. I'll just say... yeah, there is blood.
Obviously, I think May is a fantastic film. I totally dig on the visual style and how everything unwinds to a fitting finale. Also liked the tasteful nods towards Dario Argento (though, I don't consider Trauma to be one of his best) and Frankenstein. There's simply no way to put across how great Angela Bettis is in the title role; she'll steal your heart, even if she ultimately has you bolting for the door. Makes for a great double-bill with the underrated Love Object, starring Desmond Harrington.
