Review of May (2003) by Alba G — 13 Jun 2010

I've heard a lot about this film while a lot of people labeling it a slasher flick. That's actually not really true at all. The movie pushes really hard that the main character May is a social misfit and most of the violence is actually in the second half of the film. It's actually a quirky character study that sometimes gets a bit too hip and self-aware for it's own good.

Angela Bettis does a great job of playing the outcast character and her performance never really allows you to predict what she will do next. She is caught between trying to fit in and find friends and accepting what she truly is. So you're not quite sure when she will snap and do something drastic.

Jeremy Sisto does a great job as the girls wannabe like interest. Despite looking like an old teen from the 70's he delivers a good performance. It's really a good character because while putting the moves on the shy girl early in the movie, he never comes off as the sleazeball that you would usually see in these type of movies. It's a refreshing change that despite letting the girl down he is not used as an escape goat for her increasingly macabre behavior.

The ending probably pushes things a little too far and the movie did drag a bit in the first half, but it's a worthy watch if you want a character study with some slasher qualities. Just don't expect a high body count.