Ethan Hawke And Margaret Qualley Star In Richard Linklater’s Biopic Blue Moon
There are still a few more months left of the year, but already some early contenders for awards season are getting traction- and one film getting potential Oscar buzz is Blue Moon, a comedy-drama biopic. Starring Ethan Hawke (The Northman), Margaret Qualley (The Substance), and Andrew Scott (Ripley), it’s set in the 1940s, as the classic musical Oklahoma! opens on stage. The plot focuses on Lorenz Hart (Hawke), a former creative partner of one of the musical’s writers, Rodgers and Hammerstein, with Qualley playing his protégé and something of a confidant. Here’s everything you need to know:
What is Blue Moon about?
Blue Moon is directed by Richard Linklater (Before Sunrise, Boyhood) and is set almost entirely in March 1943, as the future beloved musical Oklahoma first premieres. Lorenz Hart was once the creative partner of Richard Rodgers (one half of Rodgers and Hammerstein) and played by Andrew Scott in the film, and is now a struggling alcoholic with depression. He arrives at the famous Sardi’s restaurant in NYC on opening night, having left during the premiere, bitter about where he’s ended up in life and the buzz around the musical that he’s not involved in. His plans for the evening, while waiting for the start of the afterparty, are to get drunk and complain about Rodgers and his project.
Alongside him at the restaurant is Elizabeth Weiland, a student and an apparent protégé of Hart, looking for success of her own in life. Elizabeth listens to Hart and his grievances, while she recounts her own stories.
The film largely focuses on Hart and Elizabeth’s relationship, as well as on Broadway and American theatre as a whole.
The film largely focuses on Hart and Elizabeth’s relationship, as well as on Broadway and American theatre as a whole. Meanwhile, Bobby Cannavale (The Watcher) plays a barman at the restaurant who serves Hart as well as lends an ear to his troubles, and keeps an eye on his behaviour.
What else do we know, and is there a release date?
Simon Delaney (Inside Man) also appears as Oscar Hammerstein II, as well as Patrick Kennedy (Dept. Q) as writer, E. B. White. The film’s official trailer gives a brief glimpse of what to expect, with Ethan Hawke looking nearly unrecognisable in the part of Hart. Having premiered at the Berlinale, the film is set to debut in UK cinemas on 14th November.
