Photo: impaawards.com
MAY (2002)
Section of the cinematic cemetery: Psychologically damaging, yet semi-romantic female-oriented Frankenstein reworkings
Cause of (premature) death: Although this wickedly weird movie made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival, it was given a way-limited theatrical release: nine theatres—across North America! Unless you sought it out, or stumbled upon it at a Blockbuster (R.I.P.) back in the day, your chances of seeing it were about as slim as the title character’s fragile physique.
What its tombstone would read: Emotionally-stunted young woman decided to make a life-size version of her only friend (her doll, Suzie) using her favourite body parts from her real-life “friends” and acquaintances (Jeremy Sisto and Anna Faris, among others).
Why it should be revived: Think of it as a much, much more fucked up version of Carrie. While that title character was suffering from mommy issues, PMS and prom queen pranks, and thus, was gunning for payback like any mistreated misfit would, May is just a sweet girl with a warped understanding of what it means to be loved. (Her mother, upon giving her Suzie, tells her if she can’t find a friend she should “make one.”) Her intentions are all good, at least in her totally unhinged mind, making her dark decisions even more disturbing.
May could be recommended on Angela Bettis’ uncomfortably dead-on performance alone. However, the movie itself deserves to be sewn in the horror movie classic quilt, due to its unquestionably unique style and ending, which playfully straddles the line between fantasy and real-life terror and will forever be etched in your memory.
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