Review of May (2003) by Kristin P — 08 Oct 2007

On a whim, I included this film in a syllabus on gender and horror film, and have religiously made space for it every semester since. It immediately wins converts from among the most jaded college students.

A somewhat cliche backstory gets polished to a brilliant shine by Angela Bettis' acting and Lucky McKee's direction. Bettis' ability to make "crazy eye" is, alone, impressive enough; but that gets topped by her ability to slip between endearingly awkward underdog and satisfyingly off-her-rocker sexy slasher.

And there's enough going on in this film--queer-wise, gender-wise, pomo-wise--to keep any academic chattering about it for days (so be careful with whom you watch this, unless you want to be subjected to the excited, buzzword-laced idea-fest that will inevitably result).

You've got to hand it to a horror film which features a doll that DOESN'T come to life or look particularly creepy or say evil things when you pull a string. This is how MAY works--it takes over-used elements like the doll (and the horror-film fan guy, and the main character's backstory, and the frankenstein references, etc, etc) and uses them in fresh, interesting ways.

MAY is the kind of film (and character) you wish could have a sequel, just to extend the pleasure of watching her weirdness. Of course, a sequel would fall flat, no matter how brilliant McKee and Bettis might be; this film is a tightly-closed circle, and anything more would be gilding the bloody, hacked-up lily.

But if it makes you long for more (as it did me), then check out McKee/Bettis' other collaboration, the short SICK GIRL (one of the "Masters of Horror" series) or ROMAN (directed by Bettis, starring McKee, their experiment with role switching) though I've not yet seen that one.

And go watch THE WOODS, McKee's second film, starring Patricia Clarkson. And love McKee and Bettis as you properly should.