Blue Moon (2025)

Set in 1943, lyricist Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) sits in Sardi's bar during the opening night of OKLAHOMA!, a groundbreaking musical with music by his longtime collaborator Richard Rodgers. Directed by Richard Linklater (BOYHOOD). Although based on an original screenplay Robert Kaplow, the film plays out like a stage play. There's just one set (the Sardi bar) and although there are other characters, it's essentially a one man show with a bravura performance by Ethan Hawke meandering about the "stage" baring his soul. It's not cinematic in the least but the knockout performance by Hawke justifies its existence as a movie. Not a film I'd recommend to the casual moviegoer. With Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale and Andrew Scott, excellent as Richard Rodgers.