JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton
May (2002)
May
Writer/Director:Lucky McKee
DVD Cover
Starring:Angela Bettis, Jeremy Sisto, Anna Farris, James Duvall
Length:93 Mins
This unsettling, emotional horror film by first time Director Lucky McKee (The Woods) gained instant recognition within the genre. Favourably described as a hybrid between Carrie and Frankenstein, this entry has a lot to offer discerning horror fans sick of teen slashers and remakes.
A warped childhood has made May Dove Canady (Angela Bettis) a socially awkward, maladjusted young lady who strives to fit in. Lonely, shy and introverted she manages to get a job working in a veterinary surgery.
She meets a pretty boy (Jeremy Sisto), dips her toe in with a pretty girl (Anna Farris) and tries to establish “normal” friendship and love. A serious lack of practical human contact and the occasional self mutilation means that things are never going to be sugar, spice and all things nice.
John Doe says:(9/10)
Flying below the mainstream radar, this beautiful and disturbing film really inspires me that the future of horror may be bright in the underground market.
Opening with a jarring image that foreshadows what’s to come, the first half of the film is an exercise in uncomfortable emotional comedy, not laugh out loud funny, more a snicker to a giggle. (Think Terry Zwigoff’s Ghost World.) Gradually, as the story progresses and we are drawn into the weird and wacky world through May’s eyes, we begin to empathise and reluctantly understand her.
For me this is where the power of the film lies, I really truly cared for May. Once you give a shit, this increases the tension 100 fold. It’s completely due to Angela Bettis’ (TV’s Carrie) tour de force performance. She manages to make this psychologically fragile, socially inept and obviously weird character fully rounded and surprisingly sympathetic.
Jeremy Sisto (Thirteen) too is in top form and for eye candy with a sprinkling of lesbian love Anna Farris (Lost in Translation) fills the role of her career.
The film is driven along by deliberate editing, restrained cinematography and an eclectic soundtrack featuring the likes of The Breeders. Not to everyone’s taste, this under seen and largely ignored quirky future cult classic is an original and unique experience that will get under your skin and haunt you.
The DVD:
Presented in Widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 the DVD package also comes with two entertaining and informative commentary tracks that will satisfy and amuse fans of the film.
Length:93 Mins
This unsettling, emotional horror film by first time Director Lucky McKee (The Woods) gained instant recognition within the genre. Favourably described as a hybrid between Carrie and Frankenstein, this entry has a lot to offer discerning horror fans sick of teen slashers and remakes.
A warped childhood has made May Dove Canady (Angela Bettis) a socially awkward, maladjusted young lady who strives to fit in. Lonely, shy and introverted she manages to get a job working in a veterinary surgery.
She meets a pretty boy (Jeremy Sisto), dips her toe in with a pretty girl (Anna Farris) and tries to establish “normal” friendship and love. A serious lack of practical human contact and the occasional self mutilation means that things are never going to be sugar, spice and all things nice.
John Doe says:(9/10)
Flying below the mainstream radar, this beautiful and disturbing film really inspires me that the future of horror may be bright in the underground market.
Opening with a jarring image that foreshadows what’s to come, the first half of the film is an exercise in uncomfortable emotional comedy, not laugh out loud funny, more a snicker to a giggle. (Think Terry Zwigoff’s Ghost World.) Gradually, as the story progresses and we are drawn into the weird and wacky world through May’s eyes, we begin to empathise and reluctantly understand her.
For me this is where the power of the film lies, I really truly cared for May. Once you give a shit, this increases the tension 100 fold. It’s completely due to Angela Bettis’ (TV’s Carrie) tour de force performance. She manages to make this psychologically fragile, socially inept and obviously weird character fully rounded and surprisingly sympathetic.
Jeremy Sisto (Thirteen) too is in top form and for eye candy with a sprinkling of lesbian love Anna Farris (Lost in Translation) fills the role of her career.
The film is driven along by deliberate editing, restrained cinematography and an eclectic soundtrack featuring the likes of The Breeders. Not to everyone’s taste, this under seen and largely ignored quirky future cult classic is an original and unique experience that will get under your skin and haunt you.
The DVD:
Presented in Widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 the DVD package also comes with two entertaining and informative commentary tracks that will satisfy and amuse fans of the film.
Ok Class, this is my best and only friend. Say hello, now!
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Film & TV on DVD
Track a copy down, I dont think youll be disappointed. You will get a kick out of clever little nods to Dario Argento and George A Romero.
Film & TV on DVD
Great to see another fan of this monumental horror that still remains an obscurity.
Totally agree with your assessment which is very similar to my own verdict....a character based emotional horror with few equals.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment and support Nathan.