Forgotten Musical Titan Receives Cinematic Tribute
While Rodgers and Hammerstein remain household names in musical theatre history, their predecessors Rodgers and Hart have faded into relative obscurity. Blue Moon, the new film from acclaimed director Richard Linklater, aims to correct this historical oversight by shining a spotlight on the brilliant but troubled lyricist Lorenz Hart.
A Career-Defining Performance
Ethan Hawke delivers what critics are calling one of the finest performances of his career, portraying the diminutive lyricist with such conviction that major award nominations seem inevitable. Through remarkable physical transformation including tinted contact lenses, an unflattering dyed comb-over, and Linklater's clever camera techniques, Hawke convincingly embodies Hart, who stood at less than five feet tall.
The film takes place almost entirely within the legendary New York restaurant Sardi's on a single significant evening: March 31, 1943, the opening night of Oklahoma! This landmark production marked composer Richard Rodgers's first collaboration with Oscar Hammerstein instead of Hart, signalling the effective end of one of Broadway's most successful partnerships.
The Man Behind the Music
Lorenz Hart, often overshadowed by his successors, was responsible for some of the American songbook's most enduring classics. His credits include not just the film's titular song Blue Moon but also My Funny Valentine, Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered, and Bridget Jones's personal anthem Have You Met Miss Jones?
Hart's partnership with Richard Rodgers yielded numerous hits, but his descent into alcoholism made collaboration increasingly difficult, ultimately leading Rodgers to seek a new partner in Hammerstein. The film explores this professional rupture against the backdrop of Hart's personal struggles, including his tragic infatuation with a much younger Yale student named Elizabeth, played by Margaret Qualley.
Superb Supporting Cast
Andrew Scott delivers a beautifully judged performance as Richard Rodgers, capturing the composer's complex relationship with his troubled collaborator. Margaret Qualley brings depth to the role of the undergraduate who becomes the object of Hart's affection, while Bobby Cannavale appears as the Sardi's bartender witnessing Hart's gradual unravelling.
The screenplay, though wordy, displays the same wit and verbal dexterity that characterised Hart's own lyrics. Even in his cups, the loquacious lyricist could turn a phrase, and the dialogue reflects this linguistic brilliance while maintaining respect for the audience's intelligence.
Despite its theatrical setting and largely single-location premise, Blue Moon achieves remarkable emotional depth, becoming what many are calling one of the must-see films of this awards season. The film serves as both a tribute to a neglected artistic genius and a poignant study of self-destruction, anchored by what may be Ethan Hawke's career-best performance.
Blue Moon was released in cinemas on October 24, offering British audiences a chance to discover the tragic story behind some of musical theatre's most beloved songs.
