Blue Moon (2025)

I quickly realized, as Ethan Hawke jumped straight into a monologue that’d (basically) last the entire film, that I was about to get exactly what I wanted from another Linklater-Hawke collaboration: dialogue so well-written and natural it distracts you from realizing you just watched people talk for two hours.

I hesitate to mention the Before trilogy since it and Blue Moon have nothing to do with each other, but despite this, the film felt like settling into the comfiest chair across from an old friend. I was about to hear a new story, but it would feel familiar at the same time simply because of who was telling it.

"What do you think she sees in him?"

"I think she sees a rich and famous guy who can help her career."

"I think she recognizes she’s being adored by one of the great appreciators of beauty."

Differently from biopics, I tend to view films based on real people in a vacuum so any inaccuracies in the story about the characters or timelines don’t affect me too much. I knew nothing about Lorenz Hart going into this but enjoyed the portrayal nonetheless. The writing was inspiring and there were many Write that down! Write that down! moments throughout.

"But to be a writer, you have to be kind of omni-sexual, don't you? You have to have, inside yourself—you know—everyone on earth: men, women, horses. How can you give voice to the whole chorus of the world if the whole chorus of the world isn't already inside you?"

Bobby Cannavale (who I’m most familiar with from his role in Mr. Robot), Andrew Scott (Fleabag), and Margaret Qualley (Kinds of Kindness, The Substance) were all amazing opposite Hawke. I’m likely biased, but this was an instant 5/5.