May December Movie: The True Story of a Teacher and Elementary Student’s Affair

by worldwide box office
January 7, 2024

Netflix welcomes the beginning of December by releasing a movie inspired by a real-life relationship scandal called MAY DECEMBER. The movie, directed by Todd Haynes, uses the true story of Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau's affair as a teacher and student. Although the movie MAY DECEMBER is packaged in the form of a fictional story, the main character's married life is inspired by the story.

As a result of her illicit relationship with her 6th grade student, Mary had to stay in prison for 6 years. Not tired of the punishment, Mary and Vili finally got married after being released from prison. In fact, both of them have 2 daughters named Audrey and Georgia who are now adults.

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Set against the backdrop of the most phenomenal infidelity scandal in 1996, this movie was in the spotlight of netizens when it was released on December 1. KLovers who are curious about the movie from this controversial story, let's check out the synopsis and other facts below!

1. MAY DECEMBER synopsis
20 years after their famous love story hit the tabloids, Gracie Atherton-Yu and her husband Joe (23 years younger) are getting ready for their twins to graduate from high school. When Hollywood actress Elizabeth Berry comes to spend time with them to better understand Gracie, whom she will play in a movie, the family atmosphere becomes tense due to the outside attention.

Joe, who never understood the events of his youth, begins to face the realities of parenthood as his children grow up leaving him at the age of thirty-six. As Elizabeth and Gracie come to understand each other, similarities and differences between the two begin to emerge. Set in the beautiful and cozy town of Camden, Maine, MAY DECEMBER is an exploration of truth, storytelling, and the difficulty (or impossibility) of fully understanding another person.

2. Starring an A-list Cast
The movie, written by Samy Burch, stars some of the biggest names in the industry. Natalie Portman, an Oscar-winning actress, plays Elizabeth who studies Gracie and Joe's lives. Meanwhile, Julianne Moore, actress in THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY plays the character Gracie who has an affair with a 13-year-old boy named Joe. Joe himself is played by Charles Melton, the actor who played Reggie in the TV series RIVERDALE.

3. Chronology of Mary and Vili's Scandal
According to US Magazine, Mary met Vili when she was a 2nd grade teacher at an elementary school in Burien, Washington. At that time, Mary was married to Steve Letourneau and had four children. Then Mary was caught spending time with Vili, who was 12 at the time, outside the school.

Mary was arrested in March 1997 and pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree rape of a child. Mary Kay gave birth to her first child with Vili, a daughter named Audrey, later that year.

4. Mary and Vili's Latest News
According to US Magazine, Mary Kay Letourneau, the woman behind the character Gracie, is now dead due to colorectal cancer. Mary died at the age of 58 in 2020. Meanwhile, Vili was invited to The Dr. Oz Show and shared his views on the events he experienced in the past.

"I can't look at a 13-year-old and feel attracted because it's not in my mind. It's not something that appeals to me. I mean, we all have our preferences, and that's not something I would choose."

Vili also mentioned that he would not be attracted to minors, "I would probably go and get help."

May December Movie