Blue Moon

*From the organisers (correct at the time of publishing), please see the organiser’s website for the latest details.

2025 (USA), (Drama)
Director: Richard Linklater
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale, Andrew Scott

Member’s Choice:

One evening in the life of Lorenz Hart, best known as the lyricist half of the successful song-writing team of Rodgers and Hart, is dramatized. That evening is 31 March 1943, arguably the worst night of his life, as it is the opening night of the new Broadway musical Oklahoma!, written by Rodgers and his new lyricist partner Oscar Hammerstein II. Rodgers paused working with Hart, due to his alcoholism and unreliability. Hart is very bitter and takes sly jabs at the show, especially Hammerstein’s lyrics, whilst trying to appear supportive. Hart confronts his shattered self-confidence in Sardi’s bar, New York, as Rodgers celebrates the opening night of this ground-breaking musical hit.

Unfolding in real time, the film is a poignant and atmospheric mediation on friendship, art and love. Blue Moon boasts a wonderful performance by Ethan Hawke as Hart, as he embodies a man hanging on by a thread.