My high school years was the most important for me in regards to horror. It was then that I joined the message board at Upcoming Horror Movies where I met some of my closest friends that I still share horror with today. A lot of movies were recommended to me at this time and it truly was a time for discovery for me. Most of these movies stuck with me over the years.
One of the movies that I was introduced to was the 2002 Lucky McKee movie May. This is a film that I watched a lot during the years that followed but haven’t watched it in recent years. I recently received the Vestron Video release of the film on blu for review which gave me the perfect opportunity to revisit it. I want to thank Lionsgate and Vestron Video for sending this one my way!
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows May (Bettis) who is a bit backward. She doesn’t have any friends and an issue with her eye which causes her to avoid people. However, a fascination with a man she meets at a coffee shop when she notices his perfect hands. He is nice to her at first but when he learns how strange she truly is, he starts ignoring her. This only strengthens her obsession and she sets out to create the perfect man using on the best parts of everyone. **Spoiler Alert**
May is one of those films that most horror fans I know either love it or hate it. I really liked the movie all those years ago and would often recommend it to fans just discovering the genre or was looking for something different. However, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I did after all these years. It’s still a solid flick but it is a bit of a slow burn. I love the cast and the characters we get but the film itself does drag on far too long.
The acting in this one is great. I was a huge fan of Six Feet Under when it was airing on HBO back then so it was cool seeing Jeremy Sisto in a genre film. He is not stranger to the genre, and while he was great in his role here, this is not even close to being my favorite performance from him. However, it’s Angela Bettis and Anna Faris that makes the film for me. Scary Movie was a constant watch growing up so I was very familiar with Faris. She brings some humor that you would expect to the film while bringing some unexpected sex appeal. Bettis delivers my favorite performance of hers. I’ve seen her in several films since my initial viewing of May and this will always be my favorite role of her. She makes the character so personal and absolutely carries the film.
The story for this one is simple and something different. While it has always reminded me of the 1997 horror comedy The Office Killer, it is just different enough to stand out. Both films follow a shy and backward young woman who turns to murder to fill the lack of social interactions in their lives. While The Office Killer sets up dead bodies to talk to as if they are alive, May goes about it with a Frankenstein inspired twist. It’s fun, especially for a first time watch, but it does move at a snails pace.
Finally, the film does have some bloody moments and a few awesome gags, especially in the veterinary clinic, but those of you looking for extreme gore will be a bit disappointed. Overall, May is a classic for the right reasons. While I don’t believe it has held up after all these years, I do see the value in the film and how it has influenced others to turn to indie filmmaking. I highly recommend snagging this blu from Vestron Video.
Special Features:
Audio Commentary with Film Critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Lucky McKee, Cinematographer Steve Yedlin, Editor Chris Sivertson, and Actors Angela Bettis, Nichole Hiltz, and Bret Roberts
Audio Commentary with Lucky McKee, Editor Rian Johnson, Composer Jammes Luckett, Production Designer Leslie Keel, and Craft Services guy Benji
“The Toymaker” — An Interview with Lucky McKee
“Perfect Hands” — An Interview with Actor Jeremy Sisto
“Blankety Blank” — An Interview with Actor James Duval
“How to Execute a Murder” — An Interview with Steve Yedlin
“Peeling Back the Layers” — An Interview with Rian Johnson
“Jack and Jill” — An Interview with Chris Sivertson
“In the Cut” — An Interview with Editor Kevin Ford
“Blood, Gore, and Rock ‘n’ Roll” — An Interview with Jammes Luckett
On the Set of May: “Bits and Pieces”
From Frankenstein to May: “Dr. Miranda Corcoran on May”
