Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore‘s Golden Globe-nominated film May December is facing backlash over its portrayal of Mary Kay Letourneau‘s ex-husband Vili Fualaau. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the real-life inspiration for Charles Melton, now 40, called the film a “ripoff“, and said he was “offended”. In an interview published on January 4, Vili told The Hollywood Reporter
“I love good movies. You know, movies that allow you to see or realize something new every time you watch them. It’s important to find writers and directors who can make you see something new each time you watch a movie. My story isn’t as simple as the one in this film .” Vili revealed that Netflix, the studio that distributed the film, never “reached out” and contacted him, despite Charles’ character Joe Yoo being based on him. If they had contacted me, we would have been able to create a masterpiece together. They chose to do a ripoff instead of my original story. The story shows Gracie and Joe as married parents with children in high school. The character admits that he has never smoked a joint before in one scene. Elizabeth insults Joe by suggesting that he has never had an adult relationship. In the final scene from May Dec Elizabeth plays Gracie and grooms Joe while shooting a scene. Elizabeth insists on filming one more take despite the director’s note that they could move forward. She says that she is feeling “more real” as the experience becomes more intense. She admitted to second-degree rape of a child. Mary Kay gave her children to Vili and herself while she was in prison. The couple married in 2005.–
In 2020 Mary Kay died of colorectal carcinoma at the age of 58. Vili was by her side, even though they had separated.
