May December: Analyzing A Shocking True Story & Problematic Trope

[shangri__la]

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The Take examines how sixth grade teacher Mary Kay Letourneau's grooming and abuse of her student inspired the Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore film May December.

They also dive into the harmful "male student has an "affair" with the hot teacher" trope in society and media, and how the trope puts the blame on the victim.

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Comments

[ginainabottle]

The way I'm fucking READY for this film, Julianne is gonna kill it and I know it. The idea that young men being groomed/abused by women aren't really victims is disgusting so I hope the movie is responsible about the topic, since porn (and men) sure as fuck will keep perpetuating that trope.

[insomniachobs]

It’s such a soap box subject for me, the way the whole thing is peddled as some fantasy come true instead of *child abuse.* This fucked up patriarchal idea that sex is a sign of manliness and every boy should want as much as possible as soon as possible is just fucked up.

And what’s so bizarre is that it lets these women off the hook - our society has no problem painting 12 year old girls as knowing sexual predators who lure helpless adult men in with their wiles, but the grown ass woman who grooms a male child is somehow a-okay and just giving him the dream? What the hell is this logic?

[blorpz]

the movie is responsible. it shows moore is a monster and melton is an absolute victim. you can't take the film any other way

[ginainabottle]

Fantastic, I'm even more excited now! Did you enjoy the film?

[blorpz]

yes, but i love the actors and director so i was probably going to like it regardless :)