July 29th: Blue Moon
Blue Moon
Released: 2025
Directed by: Richard Linklater
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Bobby Cannavale, Andrew Scott, Margaret Qualley
Lorenz Hart was a very talented, brilliant, but ultimately sad man. Blue Moon does not take us through his entire life; in fact, it takes place over one night in one location for nearly the entire movie. On the opening night of Oklahoma! at the legendary restaurant and bar Sardi’s, we join Hart at perhaps his lowest point: watching his former writing partner, Richard Rodgers, find his greatest success with someone else, Oscar Hammerstein II. He has only one hope left — a young friend with whom he has become obsessed: Elizabeth.
Ethan Hawke embodies the alcoholic Hart as he grasps for anything — anyone — to find attachment with. He bitterly and hilariously critiques Oklahoma! when alone with the bar staff, but he becomes effusive with praise when Rodgers and Hammerstein arrive to celebrate opening night. He is constantly telling stories about himself, specifically about his relationship with Elizabeth. It is clear before she even enters the film that he is seeing more in their relationship than she is. When they speak, she talks about herself, and he listens. He is living vicariously through a young, intelligent, creative person, but he cannot see that his obsession is one-sided. Deep down, he may know it, but he needs this friendship. This love. He has nothing without it.
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The writing in this film is so crisp. Lorenz Hart is constantly talking, but you are also constantly listening as an audience member. He is like a living train wreck, slowly crashing toward death. His dialogues with the staff, E.B. White, Rodgers, and Elizabeth are sharp, sad, and funny all at the same time. Hart tries to come across to the staff as the life of the party, still being the person he used to be. He longs for a peer and appreciation from White. He craves the old days of creativity and success with Rodgers. He desperately wants the youth and future represented by Elizabeth. It feels like you are watching a tour-de-force acting performance in a stage play, elevated by a screenplay that is truly top-notch.
Small Observations:
- While Ethan Hawke is the main attraction, every other actor is fantastic. Andrew Scott gives a complex performance as Richard Rodgers. He is tired of the old Larry Hart who drinks and can’t be focused. Yet, he also tries to work with him more. Most importantly, he truly cares about Hart. He wants him to be around, but he wants the fun, funny, creative Hart. Not the bitter, self-destructive Hart that destroyed their partnership. Too often scripts focus on the conflict rather than the friendship. Showing Rodgers doesn’t want to abandon Hart is a wonderful touch.
- Margaret Qualley’s performance as Elizabeth is interesting. Does she truly value Larry, or is she just using him as a famous person to get places and meet people? Does she realize the feelings Hart has for her? I don’t think those questions can be easily answered, which is what makes her role fascinating.
- There are some fun character cameos: one that isn’t surprising for a movie about musical theater and one that is. The unsurprising one is Stephen Sondheim, and there are definite in-jokes in his appearance. The surprising one is George Roy Hill, director of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting.
- MCU actors: 2
Overall Rank: S
A sad, funny but extremely well-written and well-acted film. Ethan Hawke’s performance alone is worth it all. Strongly recommended.
