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Ethan Hawke Shines as Troubled Lyricist Hart
29 Nov
Summary
- Ethan Hawke delivers a standout performance as lyricist Lorenz Hart.
- The film chronicles Hart's descent into alcoholism and career struggles.
- Blue Moon focuses on a single pivotal evening in 1943.
Ethan Hawke embodies the complex and troubled life of Lorenz Hart in Richard Linklater's "Blue Moon." The film centers on a single evening, March 31, 1943, the premiere of "Oklahoma!," highlighting the end of the legendary Rodgers and Hart songwriting partnership. Hawke's performance is lauded, utilizing subtle camera tricks to portray Hart's diminutive stature and fragile state.
The narrative unfolds within the iconic Sardi's restaurant, where Hart grapples with his bitterness over composer Richard Rodgers’ new collaboration with Oscar Hammerstein. The screenplay is praised for its wit, capturing Hart's eloquent way with words even in his struggles with alcohol. Andrew Scott as Rodgers and Margaret Qualley as a young student provide strong support.
"Blue Moon" offers a deeply poignant look at a celebrated lyricist's decline, set against the backdrop of Broadway's changing landscape. The film is considered a must-see for awards season, shedding light on the man behind enduring hits and his tragic descent into alcoholism, which ultimately led to his death at age 48.
