‘May December’ Composer Marcelo Zarvos Explains Viral Hot Dog Scene Motif: ‘The Music Destabilizes the Viewer’

variety.com:

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor Is “May December” camp or not? That’s the question the internet is currently obsessing over, but whether you fall on the “definitely” or “no, rude question!” side, one clue can be found in the dark comedy’s notably prominent score by Marcelo Zavros.

Ten minutes into the Todd Haynes movie that’s loosely based on the story of Mary Kay Letournau, Julianne Moore, playing Gracie, the wife and mother, opens the fridge while getting ready for a family barbecue.

As she casually comments, “I don’t think we have enough hot dogs,” the lush chords familiar from the 1971 movie “The Go-Between” burst loudly into the scene, lending the mundane moment an unexpected melodramatic punch.

Haynes characterized the music as “exciting, juicy, strange and excessive” on the “Soundtracking” podcast. The ominous music provides contrast for the setting in a way often heard in soap operas as a dramatic motif.