Ethan Hawke is making headlines once again, this time for his haunting portrayal of lyricist Lorenz Hart in Richard Linklater’s new period drama Blue Moon. The film, which just premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, is already generating Oscar buzz and has critics calling Hawke’s performance one of the best of his career.
A Role Twelve Years in the Making
Hawke’s collaboration with director Richard Linklater is legendary, spanning over a decade and including the acclaimed “Before” trilogy. But
Blue Moon marks a new high point. The project was discussed for more than ten years before finally coming to fruition, with both Hawke and Linklater drawn to the idea of telling a story in real time, set almost entirely in the iconic Sardi’s restaurant in New York’s theatre district.
Hawke is nearly unrecognizable as Hart, the brilliant but troubled lyricist whose partnership with Richard Rodgers produced some of Broadway’s most enduring songs. To embody Hart, Hawke underwent a dramatic physical transformation—shaving the crown of his head, growing out the sides for a severe comb-over, and using old-school staging tricks to appear shorter and frailer.
Embracing the Heartbreak
What sets Hawke’s performance apart is his deep empathy for Hart’s struggles. At a recent press conference, Hawke described feeling a profound connection to the character’s anxieties and self-destructive impulses. “I’ve spent my life with theatre people,” Hawke said. “I felt like I knew him. I know this dude and I love him and I admire him and he breaks my heart”.
The film unfolds in the months before Hart’s death in 1943, as he grapples with professional jealousy, alcoholism, and the collapse of his creative partnership. Linklater and Hawke wanted to explore the demise of an artistic career, showing that sometimes talent isn’t enough to overcome personal demons.
Critical Acclaim and Oscar Buzz
Early reviews have been glowing. Critics from the
Houston Chronicle and NBC News have singled out Hawke’s performance as a career highlight, praising his ability to capture both the wit and the tragedy of Hart’s life. On
The View, Hawke discussed the intense preparation for the role and reflected on his long-standing partnership with Linklater, calling
Blue Moon their most ambitious project yet.
Hawke is also pulling double duty this fall, starring in the hit FX series
The Low Down while promoting
Blue Moon on the awards circuit. With the film’s real-time structure and Hawke’s transformative performance, many are predicting a strong showing at the upcoming Oscars.
What’s Next for Hawke?
Beyond
Blue Moon, Hawke continues to be one of Hollywood’s most versatile talents. He recently reprised his chilling role as the Grabber in
Black Phone 2, earning more critical praise for his ability to bring depth and menace to even the darkest characters.
As Hawke himself put it, “We invest our hearts in worthless stocks and we know they’re worthless, but we do it anyway.” With
Blue Moon, Hawke has invested his heart—and it’s paying off in spades.
Takeaways
- *
Ethan Hawke’s performance in Blue Moon
is being hailed as a career-defining turn, with major Oscar buzz already building.
- The film explores the heartbreak and downfall of Broadway legend Lorenz Hart, brought to life through Hawke’s transformative acting and Linklater’s innovative direction.
- Hawke’s willingness to embrace the vulnerability and pain of his character is resonating with critics and audiences alike, cementing his status as one of the most compelling actors of his generation.*
Sources
1. Ethan Hawke on embracing the 'heartbreak' of Broadway drama ...
2. Ethan Hawke - Wikipedia
3. Ethan Hawke Talks 'Blue Moon' Role 12 Years In The Making
