[Review] Blue Moon: One Party, Two Farewells
Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke reunite after the Before trilogy and Boyhood, with Ethan Hawke delivering one of his most outstanding performances to date.
The poster of Blue Moon
The film takes place on the premiere night of the musical Oklahoma!, one of the most influential works in American history. As such, it is an important and meaningful night for the American cultural, artistic, and theatrical communities. However, for the protagonist, Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke), the night holds a different significance. While others are witnessing the premiere of Oklahoma! and celebrating the birth of a masterpiece, Lorenz appears to be attending a funeral, mourning the loss of his creative partnership with his former collaborator, Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott). The two previously co-wrote numerous musicals but never achieved a success on the scale of Oklahoma!, which Richard co-wrote with a new partner, Oscar Hammerstein II (Simon Delaney). Lorenz attends the premiere but walks out midway, unable to endure the entire performance. While he has his criticisms of the musical—including the exclamation point in the title—the true source of his frustration is the split with Richard. Having seen the show and the audience's reaction, he likely realizes their partnership is over; Richard has moved forward, while Lorenz is stuck, seemingly abandoned by his partner and the times.
Like many of director Richard Linklater's previous works, the film is composed almost entirely of dialogue. From the moment Lorenz leaves the theatre and arrives at Sardi's Bar, he speaks non-stop, covering everything from musicals to movies, and from love to sex. During one conversation, Lorenz mentions the classic film Casablanca, quoting the line, "Nobody ever loved me that much." Lorenz is clearly a person desperate for love. He yearns for Richard's love so they can collaborate again and produce a musical more beloved than Oklahoma!; he longs to be loved by the aspiring Elizabeth (Margaret Qualley), hoping to keep her by his side. He might not need to be "loved that much" as the quote suggests—he just needs to feel loved. Therefore, he spends the night desperately seeking attention from Richard and Elizabeth, only to feel a pervasive sense of loneliness in the end.
From the moment Lorenz sits down at Sardi’s, his conversation revolves around Richard and Elizabeth, quickly establishing the central relationships of the film. Elizabeth and Richard appear in the middle of the film, with Richard, as the composer of Oklahoma!, being the guest of honor at the premiere party and thus the last to make a grand entrance for both the audience and the characters. Andrew Scott's portrayal of Richard is understated; his main scenes are simple dialogues with Lorenz, yet they convey a sense of simultaneous affection and resentment, with Richard constantly evasive, as if fearing what terrifying thing Lorenz might do next. His coolness and caution stand in sharp contrast to the warmth and raw emotion of Ethan Hawke’s Lorenz. Elizabeth's attitude toward Lorenz is the opposite of Richard's—she is genuinely warm and kind. Margaret Qualley's Elizabeth is radiant, as Lorenz later notes, "Everyone is in love with her." But her most compelling quality is not her appearance; it's her charm and soul. A monologue where she discusses her hopes for and disappointments in love feels incredibly vivid, making the audience feel as if they experienced the whole process with her. Even when she rejects Lorenz, her kindness is palpable; she seems incapable of hurting anyone.
Andrew Scott (left) and Ethan Hawke (right) in Blue Moon.
Ultimately, the protagonist of this film remains Lorenz. From the start, the camera follows him moving around the bar, presenting his significant night in real-time. The film's opening quotes two lines about Lorenz: lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, who succeeded him as Richard’s partner on Oklahoma!, described him as funny and witty, while singer Mabel Mercer called him the saddest person. These quotes appear contradictory, but through Ethan Hawke's brilliant performance, the audience understands how Lorenz could project such different feelings. From the moment he enters the bar, Lorenz talks non-stop, his face alight with excitement. Hawke's vibrant performance dictates the rhythm of the dialogue, taking the audience through the entire night. In front of others, he is always engaging and makes everything sound entertaining. Yet, at certain moments, a glimpse of loss, vulnerability, and loneliness can be seen in his eyes. This complex display of emotion is undoubtedly one of Ethan Hawke’s finest performances to date.
Except for the opening few minutes, the entire film takes place inside Sardi's Bar. Lorenz wanders through different corners and talks to various people, giving the film a distinctly theatrical feel. The first part of the film occurs at the bar counter with bartender Eddie (Bobby Cannavale), pianist Morty (Jonah Lees), and writer E. B. White (Patrick Kennedy), among others. The middle section moves to the center of the bar and the staircase for his talk with Richard, and the final sequence is a private conversation with Elizabeth in the coat check area, resembling different scenes in a stage play. However, the film effectively uses cinematography, composition, editing, and music to give the script a cinematic quality. The scene between Lorenz and Elizabeth in the coat check is particularly noteworthy, utilizing the narrow space and their seated positions to create a highly intimate atmosphere. Given that the protagonist is a musical lyricist, the film cleverly uses musical theatre tunes, alongside the music played by the bar's pianist, to give the film a light, brisk rhythm that drives the dialogue and propels the plot.
In the film's final moments, Lorenz fulfills his promise to Elizabeth and introduces her to Richard. As mentioned before, "Everyone is in love with her," and Richard is no exception. Watching Lorenz follow Richard to another party, it feels as if Lorenz is saying farewell to two important people in his life. At the start of the film, he held onto a sliver of hope for both relationships, but by the end, he understands that his bonds with both Richard and Elizabeth are gone forever. Since he cannot attain their love, he chooses to remain in the bar, enjoying the company of other equally lonely souls.
Trailer:
Synopsis:
On the evening of March 31, 1943, legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart confronts his shattered self-confidence in Sardi’s bar as his former collaborator Richard Rodgers celebrates the opening night of his ground-breaking hit musical “Oklahoma!”.
Photo and Source: Mongrel Media