Writer/director Richard Linklater and actor Ethan Hawke have collaborated numerous times. Their most recent project is “Blue Moon,” a biopic following the last few days of legendary Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart. The movie premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it earned two nominations and won one award for supporting actor Andrew Scott
Previously, Linklater and Hawke have worked on the “Before” trilogy, “Boyhood,” “Fast Food Nation,” “Waking Life,” “Tape,” “The Newton Boys,” and “SubUrbia.” One might think it’s relatively easy for the two of them to get a project off the ground, given their previous success. However, that is not the case, as Linklater explained in a recent interview for Variety:
“There’s pressure enough… just to see how films come together. Each one’s a miracle. I don’t know how films get made. I just feel like each time I get lucky and this happens. It’s hard, but it’s not real until it’s real.”
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It’s a strange comment given how well-established and respected Linklater is as a filmmaker. That being said, it’s been over ten years since Linklater and Hawke’s last collaboration, “Boyhood.” For Hawke and Linklater to join forces again, perhaps it is nothing short of miraculous.
The movie stars Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale, Andrew Scott, Jonah Lees, Simon Delaney, Cillian Sullivan, Patrick Kennedy, and John Doran. Richard Linklater is the director. With screenplay by Robert Kaplow. Producers are Mike Blizzard, Joshua A. Foster, Linklater, and John Sloss. Executive producers are Lisa Crnic, Donna Eperon, Steven Farneth, Macdara Kelleher, John Keville, David J. Kingland, and Aaron J. Wiederspahn.
“Blue Moon” follows legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart (Hawke), dealing with the final days of his life during the opening night of his former partner Richard Rodgers’ (Scott) hit show ‘Oklahoma!’ The film takes place largely on March 31, 1943, at the famous New York bar known as Sardi’s. The bartender (Cannavale) provides a listening ear to Hart, who struggles with alcoholism and depression, while trying not to serve him liquor.
A synopsis for the new film:
Tells the story of Lorenz Hart’s struggles with alcoholism and mental health as he tries to save face during the opening of “Oklahoma!”
Sony Pictures Classics will release “Blue Moon” in New York and Los Angeles for a limited release on October 17, with a nationwide expansion on October 24. You can watch the new trailer for the pic below.
