Rent Blue Moon on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Robert Kaplow (written by), Lorenz Hart & Elizabeth Weiland (inspired by the letters of)
Directed by: Richard Linklater
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Bobby Cannavale, Andrew Scott, Margaret Qualley
Rated: R
Watch the trailer
Plot
Broadway songwriter Lorenz Hart struggles with alcoholism and mental health as he tries to save face during the opening of Oklahoma!, which he declined to write and is the first project after he separated from his collaborator Richard Rodgers.
Verdict
With one location making it feel similar to a play, we get to know Larry Hart though his ramblings and rants about past successes, current jealousies, and wistful hopes. Hart had the chance to be part of something incredibly successful, and he missed it. He's plying that hurt by dismissing it and trying to romance someone half his age, but that too is a folly. In one character we see triumph and tragedy, and the fears of an artist. Ethan Hawke provides a masterful performance as Hart.
Watch It.
Review
Blue Moon is the song title of Hart's greatest hit with Rodgers, covered by many artists. Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's songwriting partnership ended due to Hart's erratic behavior and alcoholism. Rodgers went on to partner with Oscar Hammerstein becoming one of the most famous songwriting duos. Their hits include Oklahoma!, The King and I, and The Sound of Music.
This is set in 1943 at a bar after the opening of Oklahoma!. The newly sober Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) rants and raves, speaking to everyone and no one. He derides the newly released Oklahoma!, one of the few dissenters, but he's adamant it's not jealousy. He admits he is bitter that he wrote with Rodgers for twenty five years, and Rodgers' first project without him is the most successful of his career.
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| Ethan Hawke plays Lorenz Hart |
Hart has a way with words, babbling about relationships, writing, plays, and his former partner. When Rodgers and Hammerstein arrive at the bar after the show, Hart as he states "begins the real performance" as he lauds their play. Hart is also there to meet and romance a college student. From the beginning it seems like a delusion, and on a night of missteps and failures, the woman rejects him.
This movie is nearly a one man show for Hawke, and he's impressive in a transformative role that showcases his abilities. I'm sure the stage play like format is on purpose. This never leaves the bar, and Hart does a lot of talking.
This is a movie about artists, their successes and struggles. Rodgers represents success. Hart wonders if his best years are behind him as he feels the sting of his partner's widespread success. Hart questions whether he'll ever accomplish that level of success. Did he miss out? That's the fear of most artists. Have I already peaked? While he criticizes parts of the play, it's a defense mechanism. He doesn't want to admit or face that Rodgers can do better without him. He must shield himself from latching on to what could have been and protect himself from a bleak future where Hart is a has-been.
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| David Rawle, Margaret Qualley, Ethan Hawke play George Roy Hill, Elizabeth Weiland, Lorenz Hart |
In this one night when the movie takes place, Hart interacts with several people that would go on to great success. While that feels a bit too cute, it illustrates how close Hart was to fame. Those around him became famous, Hart became a footnote. He was so close to stardom, but he sabotaged himself being a drunk and unreliable. He had a chance at Oklahoma!, little did he know that Rodgers and Hammerstein would become the most formidable songwriting team in theater history. In this movie Hart only begrudges their first collaboration.
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