Kaplow's 'Blue Moon': A 14-Year Journey to Oscar Nod

The screenplay for Richard Linklater's "Blue Moon," which features Ethan Hawke as lyricist Lorenz Hart, has received an Oscar nomination for original screenplay after a 14-year development period by writer Robert Kaplow.

Kaplow, inspired by letters from a young woman to Hart discovered at an estate sale, imagined the opening night of "Oklahoma!" – the first musical Rodgers wrote without Hart. The film delves into the intricate 25-year creative partnership between Rodgers and Hart, characterized by mutual respect, artistic love, and significant exasperation.

Ethan Hawke's performance as Hart, a shrewd and discontented artist, has also earned him an Academy Award nomination for best actor. Kaplow and Hawke collaborated to create a captivating voice for Hart, drawing from the emotional core of his song lyrics.

Kaplow's script invents a pivotal moment where Hart attends the "Oklahoma!" afterparty, a choice he describes as both brave and self-destructive. The writer meticulously crafted Hart's dialogue, using a school notebook and pen to channel the character's fervent need to express himself, resulting in 71 pages of spoken dialogue.

The film highlights Hart's rejection of "Oklahoma!" due to its sentimental cowboy theme, contrasting with his earlier satirical work. The narrative tension builds as Rodgers ascends while Hart remains on the periphery, ultimately choosing to leave.