Films for Breakfast

Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke are two talents I would follow to the ends of the Earth, and when they come together, it feels like pure cinema magic. In Blue Moon, they bring to life the true story of Lorenz Hart (Hawke), a man down on his luck after his usual partner, Richard Rodgers, has just opened Oklahoma! to critical and commercial acclaim. The film mostly unfolds in a single location (a bar) where Hart talks to anyone who will listen, and it is absolutely riveting.

Linklater’s mastery of dialogue-driven storytelling is on full display here. Just look at the Before trilogy: those films not only sustain 90-plus-minute runtimes on conversation alone, but they also redefined the romantic genre. In Blue Moon, Linklater wields his razor-sharp dialogue to remarkable effect, rendering Hart a live wire of suppressed emotion, restless intellect, and heavy drinking.

The screenplay itself is a star. It’s electrifying from start to finish, weaving effortlessly among different characters, scenarios, and conversations, only to loop back with startling resonance. The film builds upon itself with a precision and nuance that feel destined to earn Linklater’s screenplay an Academy Award nomination.

Ethan Hawke delivers a transformative performance. Beyond any physical alterations, though the film ingeniously make him appear shorter, Hawke embodies Hart’s vulnerability and complexity like never before. He navigates heartbreak, frustration, humor, and charm with an ease that reminds you why he is so revered.

At its heart, Blue Moon is less a biography of Hart’s achievements than a character study of his flaws and contradictions: a brilliant, enigmatic man whose alcoholism and personal shortcomings often collided with his genius, leaving those around him both enchanted and exasperated. Linklater captures this beauty and tragedy with a deft touch.

By the film’s conclusion, Blue Moon feels like the definitive telling of Hart’s story. History may have dictated its own outcome, but through Hawke’s commanding, emotionally resonant performance, you can’t help but wish for a rewrite. While the single-location setting might suggest limitations, the film looks and sounds exceptional, bolstered by a strong supporting cast. Ultimately, though, it’s Hawke and Linklater’s show – and they do not disappoint.