Ethan Hawke on Playing Lorenz Hart in Richard Linklater's 'Blue Moon'

The Character of Lorenz Hart

• 🎭 Ethan Hawke portrays Lorenz Hart, the lyricist behind iconic songs like "My Funny Valentine," in the film "Blue Moon."
• 💔 The film captures Hart on the opening night of "Oklahoma!," a musical by his former partner Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein, marking a turning point where Hart feels his era and work are becoming irrelevant.
• 😔 Hart is depicted as deeply hurt, lonely, and struggling with alcoholism, seeing himself as unworthy of love and his talent drying up.

The Film's Narrative and Structure

• 🌃 "Blue Moon" is set almost entirely during one night at Sardis in 1943, presenting a real-time narrative that demands precise acting and cannot be salvaged in editing.
• 🤝 The film focuses on the final conversation between Lorenz Hart and Richard Rogers, exploring the complex dynamics of their 25-year artistic partnership and its eventual breakup.
• 💡 The script, written by Robert Kaplau, is praised for its disciplined, precise, and witty writing, with Hart's character delivering a constant stream of insightful, often self-destructive, dialogue.

Themes of Loneliness and Artistic Change

• 🎶 Hart's loneliness stems from self-hatred and a feeling of unworthiness, exacerbated by his alcoholism and the changing landscape of musical theater.
• 📉 He feels like the greatest mandolin player in the world watching Elvis become popular, symbolizing his dedication to an art form that is becoming antiquated.
• 💔 His pursuit of Elizabeth, a much younger woman, is seen as a self-inflicted pain to distract from the overwhelming trauma of losing his partnership with Rogers.

The Significance of Rogers and Hart's Work

• ✨ The lyrics of Lorenz Hart are described as deeply sad, funny, smart, and alive, defining the definition of bittersweet.
• 🎧 The song "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" is highlighted as an extraordinary piece of writing, akin to a small play within its structure.
• 🌟 Hawke advocates for contemporary musicians to explore the Rogers and Hart songbook, believing their lyrics offer a higher standard for songwriting.

Independent Cinema and Richard Linklater

• 🎬 Hawke emphasizes the challenges of independent cinema, where creators often work without pay and must actively promote their films.
• 📣 He encourages audiences to see "Blue Moon" if it sounds intriguing, stressing that prior knowledge of Lorenz Hart is not necessary to appreciate the film.
• ❤️ The film, directed by Richard Linklater, is noted for its humanistic portrayal of characters who, despite breaking hearts and facing tragedy, act out of good will and an attempt to be good people.