When most people hear the name "Rodgers" in the world of theatre, the thought tends to be followed by "and (Oscar) Hammerstein"...but prior to working with Hammerstein, Richard Rodgers was part of another long-term collaboration with Lorenz Hart.
Lorenz Hart's style was dripping with wit; he was very much in a similar vein to other lyricists of the era like Cole Porter...although there was always a strong sense of melancholy to Hart. So much has been debated about his true sexuality, but many suspect that he was a bisexual who also battled alcoholism and severe depression. Some also say that he leaned more towards homosexuality but did have a taste for voyeurism that could've swayed toward either sex.
His erratic and often snarky behavior paired with his alcoholic benders that would make him disappear for days on end would be the primarily catalyst for Rodgers teaming up with Oscar Hammerstein II to adapt the play Green Grow the Lilacs into a stage musical. This would go on to be known as Oklahoma!
Lorenz Hart was sort of being pushed to the side, and it is that snapshot of a moment that leads us into Blue Moon, Richard Linklater's long-gestating project that has had Ethan Hawke frothing at the mouth for over a decade to sink his teeth into.
Hart holds court at the bar which is tended by Eddie (Bobby Cannavale), the two clearly have a rapport down to them quoted lines from Casablanca at each other. Hart also takes an interest in the piano player Morty (Jonah Less), whom he decides to nickname Knuckles.
Using the term "omnisexual" to describe himself, he proceeds to flirt with a male delivery guy to the point of insisting he come to his apartment on Central Park West for a "soiree" while also boasting his infatuation with a 20 year old Yale student named Elizabeth (Margaret Qualley), an inspiring set designer whom he believes is his next love...even though it seems clear to us that she perhaps doesn't share that sentiment.
The opening night festivities for Oklahoma! are about to begin and this is when the wunderkind Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott) arrives and Hart tries his best to insert himself into remaining relevant in Rodgers' orbit...however, that sounds a bit more harsh than this situation may deserve.
Blue Moon is going to be one of those films that divides some people as to how much they respond to the content and how its presented. There is no denying that its static setting at Sardi's and the copious amount of dialogue and monologuing make this feel as though it was a play being adapted for the screen.
Shockingly, that is not the case. As written by Me & Orson Welles novelist Robert Kaplow, Blue Moon was mostly inspired by the letters Hart wrote to Elizabeth...along with firsthand accounts from the final months of Hart's life. In fact, the film opens with us seeing what led to Hart's death...which for those of you who aren't aware, I will refrain from discussing that here...but Hart's death only 7 months after the events of this film.
While the ensemble of Qualley, Cannavale, Scott, and the rest do very solid work, this film is truly a showcase for whichever actor gets to revel in the complexities of Lorenz Hart. There is no denying that Ethan Hawke is a strong actor, but a role like this feels unlike anything he has played before.
One example of me coming close to this kind of hyperbole was Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin in the HBO film Game Change, but I would easily put Ethan Hawke's work as Lorenz Hart in that group.
What Hawke manages to mine out of this performance is nothing short of brilliant. Considering Hawke is 5'10 in real life, Hart was roughly around 5ft and Linklater stages everything so brilliantly to make Hawke's stature seem far for diminutive. In addition to that, Hawke's physicality with this makes the illusion all the more remarkable. Every single detail from his voice and mannerisms and the makeup/hair department giving him Hart's balding desperate combover helps create one of the more fascinating bits of character study on film in recent years.
We are basically watching a man filled with so much bravado and self-loathing try so desperately hard to hang on by a thread...and in turn, we are spellbound hanging on to every single word and tactic he says or does.
While some may bemoan that the film is nothing more than a vehicle for Ethan Hawke, I do think the script is very fascinating and filled with a lot of wonderful dialogue and that Linklater does well to maintain a great sense of space and not make us too claustrophobic...even if Hart himself is feeling everything close in around him.
While I don't suspect it'll happen, this film should be in contention for Best Picture and Screenplay nominations, but if there truly is any justice, Ethan Hawke would be in contention for the win. I hope this comment ages poorly, but he seems to be on the cusp for a nomination and may very well miss it.
Blue Moon is a beautiful and sumptuous little gem of a film that may have faltered if it weren't for the right casting, but thankfully, Ethan Hawke pulled off this difficult role marvelously.
Rating: 9/10
OK, you’ve talked me into it. LOL Saturday is movie night around here. I will give you a full report next Sunday.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you so effusive about the film. I’ve honestly heard mixed reports, and although I’m sure I would’ve watched at some point, you’ve convinced me to do so sooner rather than later.
Thank you so much!!!! I have also heard a lot of mixed things…or at least people loved Ethan Hawke but thought the film was serviceable.
DeleteI think because I’ve always considered Hart to be such a fascinating and tragic figure, I knew in the right hands, he’d make for a fascinating subject to study