Blue Moon (2025) by Richard Linklater: A Lament for a Lyricist on a Fateful Night

Short Summary: Hart's Twilight in Oklahoma!'s Dawn Richard Linklater's "Blue Moon" is a biographical drama set primarily on March 31, 1943, the electric opening night of Rodgers and Hammerstein's groundbreaking musical "Oklahoma!". The film focuses on Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers' brilliant but troubled former creative partner, as he grapples with alcoholism, depression, and the stark reality of his fading relevance. Confined largely to the bar of New York's iconic Sardi's restaurant, Hart's witty, bitter, and increasingly desperate musings unfold in real-time as he confronts his artistic mortality and a world moving on without him.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32536315/

Link Review: https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/blue-moon-review-rodgers-and-hart-ethan-hawke-1236311303/

About movie: https://www.sonyclassics.com/film/bluemoon/

Detailed Summary: A Battle of Wits and Wounds at Sardi's

• A Historic Night, A Personal Crisis: The film opens on the pivotal evening of March 31, 1943, as Broadway buzzes with anticipation for the premiere of "Oklahoma!". While the world celebrates the dawn of a new era for musical theatre with Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke), the celebrated lyricist of Rodgers' previous hit collaborations, finds himself in a personal and professional crisis.

• Confined to Sardi's: Eschewing the triumphant opening night festivities, the semi-closeted Hart seeks solace and oblivion at the bar of Sardi's, a legendary New York Theater District institution. The film largely unfolds within the confines of this single location, mirroring Hart's own emotional and physical entrapment.

• Bitter Reflections and Desperate Pitches: Over the course of the evening, Hart engages in a series of increasingly intense conversations. He bitches about Rodgers' new hit, offering barbed and cynical jabs at "Oklahoma!'s" perceived sincerity, which he sees as a betrayal of the witty, sophisticated musical style he championed. He trades quips with the charming barman, Eddie (Bobby Cannavale), who patiently lends an ear while trying to manage Hart's liquor intake. Hart also muses about art, commerce, and his crumbling legacy with a sympathetic columnist.

• The Allure of Youth and Lost Opportunity: A significant element of the narrative involves Hart's ill-advised fixation on Elizabeth Weiland (Margaret Qualley), a 20-year-old Yale fine arts student. Elizabeth represents youth, idealism, and possibility—everything Hart feels he is losing. Their lengthy conversation in the cloakroom, full of longing and self-delusion, becomes one of the film's most poignant scenes, highlighting Hart's awareness of his own irrelevance and his inability to change.

• Artistic Mortality and Cultural Shift: "Blue Moon" is a deep dive into Hart's psychological state as he witnesses a cultural shift that is leaving him behind. His desperate attempts to pitch Rodgers a new satirical musical are met with polite deflection, as Rodgers gently explains that audiences now desire something different, something more hopeful. Hart recognizes the truth of this, even as the bitterness of his laughter and the slump of his shoulders betray his internal struggle. The film explores the tragedy of an artist who knows he is a relic but cannot bring himself to leave the stage, clinging to the past while the world moves inexorably forward.

Director's Vision: Real-Time Intimacy and Existential Exploration

• Richard Linklater, renowned for his contemplative, dialogue-driven films and explorations of time (e.g., Before trilogy, Boyhood), applies his signature real-time storytelling approach to "Blue Moon." This choice enhances the film's intensity and intimacy, making the audience feel present in Hart's unfolding crisis.

• Linklater, along with writer Robert Kaplow and actor Ethan Hawke, had been developing this story for over a decade, indicating a deep commitment to bringing Lorenz Hart's complex character to life.

• His vision for the film is to be "a fascinating exploration of time and artistic legacy," centered on a pivotal night that captures "the intense emotions of a man grappling with his own artistic mortality."

• By setting the film primarily in a single location (Sardi's bar), Linklater creates a theatrical experience, akin to watching a play, which focuses intensely on dialogue and character interaction. This narrative choice underscores themes of artistic creation, legacy, and the poignant realization of one's own impermanence.

• The director aims to present Hart as one of his "most empathetic and richly developed protagonists," showcasing his wit and despair without simplifying his complexities.

Themes: Artistic Legacy, Personal Decline, Change, and Acceptance

• Artistic Mortality and Legacy: A central theme is the struggle of an artist confronted with his own fading relevance and the shifting tides of cultural taste. Hart grapples with his legacy as Rodgers' new success overshadows his past achievements.

• Alcoholism and Depression: The film directly addresses Hart's personal demons, portraying his battle with alcoholism and depression as he spirals into self-loathing and despair on this pivotal night.

• Change and Resistance: "Blue Moon" explores the human difficulty in accepting inevitable change, both personal and artistic. Hart resists the new era of earnest musical theatre, clinging to his cynical wit even as it becomes outdated.

• Loneliness and Connection: Despite being surrounded by people, Hart experiences profound loneliness. The film explores his desperate attempts to connect, even as his self-destructive behavior pushes others away.

• The Price of Genius: The narrative implicitly questions the cost of artistic genius, particularly when coupled with personal demons and an inability to adapt to a changing world.

Key Success Factors: Acclaimed Director-Actor Reunion and Confined Setting

• Linklater-Hawke Collaboration: The reunion of director Richard Linklater and actor Ethan Hawke (known for their extensive collaborations on the Before trilogy and Boyhood) is a major draw, promising a nuanced and deeply felt performance from Hawke in a challenging role.

• Compelling Biopic Subject: Lorenz Hart's tragic but brilliant life, set against the iconic backdrop of Broadway's Golden Age, provides rich dramatic material.

• Intimate, Real-Time Setting: The choice to set most of the film in Sardi's bar, unfolding in real-time, creates an intense and intimate character study, a signature of Linklater's unique approach to storytelling.

• Dialogue-Driven Narrative: Linklater's strength in crafting sharp, natural, and philosophically rich dialogue is expected to be a key element, driving the narrative and character development.

• Awards Recognition: Early critical buzz and an acting award at a major festival already signal the film's artistic quality.

Awards and Nominations: Early Berlinale Acclaim "Blue Moon (2025)" received significant early recognition at a prestigious international festival:

• Berlin International Film Festival (75th Berlinale, February 2025):

  • Nominated for the Golden Bear (Best Film).

  • Won the Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance for Andrew Scott (for his role as Richard Rodgers).

Critics Reception: Divisive but Praised for Performances and Dialogue

• The Fan Carpet: Praised the film for taking its time but rewarding patience with "great dialogue, strong performances, and striking visuals." It highlighted Ethan Hawke's portrayal of Hart as "great," capturing his "frustration, wit, and vulnerability."

• Screen Daily (Berlin Jury Grid): Noted that "Blue Moon" divided critics, scoring an average of 2.8 stars. While some gave it four stars ("excellent"), others rated it as low as one star ("poor"). This suggests a strong, polarizing reaction, typical for Linklater's more experimental or introspective works.

• The Lamplight Review (Berlinale 2025 Review): Provided an in-depth, positive review, highlighting how the film "never leaves Sardi's, unfolding with the measured pace of a stage play," and praises Hawke's ability to capture Hart's "sharp humor and bruised ego." The review emphasized the film's grappling with "artistic integrity versus commercial appeal" and "watching the world move on without you."

• Overall Summary: Critical reception for "Blue Moon" is diverse, reflecting its nuanced and introspective nature. While some critics find its pacing slow or its themes too muted, there is broad praise for the sharp dialogue and the powerful performances, particularly Ethan Hawke's transformation into Lorenz Hart and Andrew Scott's award-winning turn as Richard Rodgers. The film is recognized for its artistic ambition and its deep dive into the psyche of a complex historical figure.

Reviews: Appreciated for Depth and Performance, Challenging for Some

• Audience discussions from Berlinale: Early audience reactions from the Berlin Film Festival indicated that viewers who appreciate Linklater's signature style and character-driven narratives found the film deeply engaging. They were drawn to the film's psychological depth and the raw portrayal of Hart's decline.

• The Lamplight Review (Audience Perspective): Explicitly states that the film doesn't necessarily make Hart "likable," but makes him "rather fascinating" due to Hawke's performance. It notes that the film "wrestles with questions of artistic integrity versus commercial appeal," themes that resonated with viewers.

• Overall Summary: While general audience reviews are still emerging for a wider release, festival reception suggests the film is appreciated by those who value contemplative dramas, strong character studies, and exceptional acting. It may be challenging for viewers expecting a fast-paced or traditionally structured biopic, but it rewards patient engagement with its rich dialogue and emotional complexity.

Release date on streaming: Expected Late 2025 / Early 2026 As of July 2025, a specific streaming release date for "Blue Moon" has not been widely announced. Following its theatrical release in late 2025, it would typically become available for digital purchase/rental or on streaming platforms in late 2025 or early 2026.

Theatrical Release: October 17, 2025 (Limited US); October 24, 2025 (Wide US) "Blue Moon" had its world premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on February 18, 2025. It is scheduled for a limited theatrical release in the United States on October 17, 2025, followed by a wider release on October 24, 2025, distributed by Sony Pictures Classics.

Why to watch this movie: A Deep Dive into a Musical Legend's Final Act

• Masterful Director-Actor Collaboration: Witness the acclaimed pairing of Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke deliver what is already being called one of Hawke's most demanding and powerful performances.

• Unique Biopic Format: Experience a biopic that unfolds largely in real-time and in a single location, offering an intimate and intense character study rather than a sweeping historical narrative.

• Rich Dialogue: Engage with Linklater's signature sharp, philosophical, and naturalistic dialogue, which drives the core of the film.

• Exploration of Artistic Identity: Delve into profound themes of artistic legacy, the struggles of creative genius, and the painful process of confronting one's own fading relevance.

• Award-Winning Acting: See Andrew Scott's Silver Bear-winning supporting performance as Richard Rodgers.

Movie Trend: Single-Location & Real-Time Character Studies "Blue Moon" fits into the evolving trend of single-location or real-time character studies, a subgenre that gained prominence with films like Locke or even Linklater's own Before trilogy's long takes. This trend emphasizes dialogue, performance, and psychological depth over expansive plot or visual spectacle, often giving the film a theatrical quality. It allows for an intense, claustrophobic exploration of a character's internal world during a pivotal moment, forcing the audience to grapple with raw emotion and complex ideas in a confined space.

Social Trend: Reassessing Historical Figures and Mental Health in Artistic Circles The film contributes to the social trend of reassessing historical figures with a more nuanced understanding of their personal struggles, particularly mental health and addiction, especially within artistic and creative circles. It moves beyond simplistic hero-worship to explore the darker, more human aspects of genius. By focusing on Lorenz Hart's battle with alcoholism and depression, the film sheds light on the often-hidden vulnerabilities of artists, aligning with broader conversations around destigmatizing mental health issues and recognizing the human cost behind extraordinary talent.

Final Verdict: A Poignant and Profound Character Study from a Master Auteur Richard Linklater's "Blue Moon" is a masterful and deeply poignant character study, offering an intimate glimpse into the twilight of a brilliant but troubled artist. While its real-time, single-location approach might not appeal to all, it rewards patient viewers with exceptionally sharp dialogue, profound thematic explorations of artistic legacy and personal decline, and truly transformative performances from Ethan Hawke and Andrew Scott. It's a contemplative, melancholic, and ultimately moving cinematic experience that further solidifies Linklater's unique position as a filmmaker dedicated to the complexities of human experience and the inexorable march of time.