The first time Ethan Hawke walked onto the Blue Moon set in costume, his own daughter didn’t recognize him. That’s according to director Richard Linklater.
Method Approach
Blue Moon showcases Hawke playing Lorenz Hart, the legendary lyricist who wrote classics like “My Funny Valentine” and “The Lady is a Tramp.” But this isn’t a sanitized biopic. The film explores Hart’s alcoholism, unrequited love for his collaborator Richard Rodgers, and the demons that eventually killed him at 48.
Hawke lost 25 pounds for the role and studied Hart’s specific physical mannerisms for months. “Lorenz had this hunched posture from years of emotional pain,” Hawke explained during a Q&A. “I needed my body to tell his story before I even spoke.”
The transformation goes beyond physical. Hawke captures Hart’s manic creativity and devastating loneliness in scenes that apparently left crew members in tears. One sequence shows Hart writing “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” while drunk and heartbroken. Test audiences rated it the most powerful moment in the film.
Broadway Authenticity
What makes Blue Moon special is its refusal to sugarcoat Broadway’s golden age. The film shows the homophobia Hart faced, the exploitative producer relationships, and how success couldn’t heal his fundamental loneliness.
Linklater shot several scenes in actual Broadway theaters where Hart’s musicals premiered. The Majestic Theatre allowed a week of night shoots recreating the 1943 opening of Oklahoma!, Hart’s final show before his death.
Margaret Qualley co-stars as a composite character representing the women who tried to help Hart manage his drinking. Her performance reportedly rivals Hawke’s for awards consideration.
Career Evolution
This marks Hawke’s most challenging transformation since First Reformed. He’s been deliberately choosing projects that push him into uncomfortable territory rather than coasting on past successes.
Blue Moon could finally earn Hawke his overdue Oscar. He’s been nominated four times but never won, and this performance feels like the culmination of decades perfecting his craft.
The film opens limited in December before expanding wide in January, positioning it perfectly for awards season. Early reviews from festival screenings have been unanimously positive.
Creative Partnership
Linklater and Hawke’s collaboration spans 30 years and nine films, starting with Before Sunrise. Each project shows their deepening trust and artistic ambition.
“Richard knows how to disappear,” Hawke said about working with Linklater. “He creates space for actors to discover performances rather than imposing his vision.”
Blue Moon represents their darkest collaboration yet. Previous films like the Before trilogy explored lighter themes of love and connection. This examines artistic brilliance married to personal tragedy.
The title references Hart’s most famous song and his lifelong feeling of being alone even surrounded by people. It’s a meditation on creativity, addiction, and the cost of genius.
Hawke apparently broke down several times during filming, overwhelmed by Hart’s sadness. “Playing someone that broken takes a toll,” he admitted. “But that’s what makes it worth doing.”
Blue Moon proves Hawke remains one of our most fearless actors. At 55, he’s still taking risks that younger stars avoid.
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