May
1.5/4
Starring: Angela Bettis, Jeremy Sisto, Anna Faris
Rated R for Strong Violence/Gore, Some Sexuality and Language
"May" has become a cult horror movie over the past decade, and Lucky McKee has become fairly well known in the indie film circuit. Judging by the utter lack of quality in his film, that should surprise me. Then I remember that the same thing happened with Vincenzo Natali and his shitfest "Cube." Obviously, I don't recommend either, although I admit that "May" isn't nearly as bad.
Lucky McKee's film is one that makes you want to take a shower after watching it. It's so twisted, so bizarre, and so creepy (none of these descriptors should be construed as compliments, by the way), that had it not been for the fact that I'm writing this review, I'd have jumped into the shower and soaked all the filth away.
May (Bettis) is a troubled girl. Bullied since childhood because of her lazy eye, May is no longer a normal human being. She is unable to form any human connections, no matter how desperately she wants to. She's almost autistic in this way. After potential relationships with Adam (Sisto), who likes the weird, and her sexy lesbian co-worker Polly (Faris) get snuffed out, she decides to take her mother's advice: if you can't find a friend, make one.
The film's problems have nothing to do with the performances. Even when setting aside the lacking circumstances in which they occur, the acting is strong across the board. Leading the pack is Angela Bettis, who is terrific as the tiny May. She's quiet and shy, and has a child-like voice and mannerisms. But there's something creepy about her; while the other characters are denying (Adam) or oblivious (Polly) to this fact, it's clear that she is a danger to herself or others.
Bettis' co-stars are just as good. Jeremy Sisto, a character actor with roles in films as diverse as "Wrong Turn" and "Thirteen," is great as the object of May's obsession. Adam is not a stunner; he's a wannabe rocker and has an obsession with horror movies, but even May turns out to be too weird for him. Anna Faris, never exactly a versatile actress, tones down her tendency to go over-the-top for comic effect and makes Polly into a sort of sexy stoner-type girl (she played a major stoner in Gregg Araki's "Smiley Face," which I saw part of a few years ago).
The problem with the film is that none of the characters become individuals. With a traditional horror movie, this isn't necessary (although sympathy with the characters is a must), but "May" is not, and does not try to be, a normal horror film. While there's plenty of blood and gore, this is more of a character study. But the characters and the dialogue are not strong enough to sustain a full film. The pieces are there, but it needs more than what it has.
Starring: Angela Bettis, Jeremy Sisto, Anna Faris
Rated R for Strong Violence/Gore, Some Sexuality and Language
"May" has become a cult horror movie over the past decade, and Lucky McKee has become fairly well known in the indie film circuit. Judging by the utter lack of quality in his film, that should surprise me. Then I remember that the same thing happened with Vincenzo Natali and his shitfest "Cube." Obviously, I don't recommend either, although I admit that "May" isn't nearly as bad.
Lucky McKee's film is one that makes you want to take a shower after watching it. It's so twisted, so bizarre, and so creepy (none of these descriptors should be construed as compliments, by the way), that had it not been for the fact that I'm writing this review, I'd have jumped into the shower and soaked all the filth away.
May (Bettis) is a troubled girl. Bullied since childhood because of her lazy eye, May is no longer a normal human being. She is unable to form any human connections, no matter how desperately she wants to. She's almost autistic in this way. After potential relationships with Adam (Sisto), who likes the weird, and her sexy lesbian co-worker Polly (Faris) get snuffed out, she decides to take her mother's advice: if you can't find a friend, make one.
The film's problems have nothing to do with the performances. Even when setting aside the lacking circumstances in which they occur, the acting is strong across the board. Leading the pack is Angela Bettis, who is terrific as the tiny May. She's quiet and shy, and has a child-like voice and mannerisms. But there's something creepy about her; while the other characters are denying (Adam) or oblivious (Polly) to this fact, it's clear that she is a danger to herself or others.
Bettis' co-stars are just as good. Jeremy Sisto, a character actor with roles in films as diverse as "Wrong Turn" and "Thirteen," is great as the object of May's obsession. Adam is not a stunner; he's a wannabe rocker and has an obsession with horror movies, but even May turns out to be too weird for him. Anna Faris, never exactly a versatile actress, tones down her tendency to go over-the-top for comic effect and makes Polly into a sort of sexy stoner-type girl (she played a major stoner in Gregg Araki's "Smiley Face," which I saw part of a few years ago).
The problem with the film is that none of the characters become individuals. With a traditional horror movie, this isn't necessary (although sympathy with the characters is a must), but "May" is not, and does not try to be, a normal horror film. While there's plenty of blood and gore, this is more of a character study. But the characters and the dialogue are not strong enough to sustain a full film. The pieces are there, but it needs more than what it has.
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