Blue Moon | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Richard Linklater |
Written by | Robert Kaplow |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Shane F. Kelly |
Edited by | Sandra Adair |
Music by | Graham Reynolds |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Sony Pictures Classics |
Release dates |
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Running time | 100 minutes [1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $63,000 [2] [3] |
Blue Moon is a 2025 American biographical comedy drama film directed by Richard Linklater and written by Robert Kaplow. The film follows songwriter Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) as he reflects on himself on the opening night of Oklahoma! , a new musical by his former colleague Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott). It also stars Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale and Jonah Lees.
The film had its world premiere at the main competition of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, on February 18, 2025, where it won the Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance for Scott. [4] It was theatrically released in the United States by Sony Pictures Classics on October 17.
Largely set on March 31, 1943, the opening night of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! , Richard Rodgers's former creative partner Lorenz Hart struggles with alcoholism and depression. [5] Most of the plot takes place at the bar of the New York Theater District restaurant Sardi's. Slipping out of Oklahoma!’s opening night, the semi-closeted Hart arrives at Sardi's ahead of the afterparty to get drunk and complain about his former creative partner's new hit musical. The barman lends an ear while trying not to serve Hart liquor. [6]
A biopic of songwriter Lorenz Hart written by Robert Kaplow was reported in June 2024 with Richard Linklater attached as director and producer, alongside John Sloss. [7] Later that month, Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale and Andrew Scott joined the cast and Sony Pictures Classics were reported to have acquired worldwide distribution rights in addition to joining the project as co-financier. Principal photography took place in Dublin from early July 2024 [8] [9] [10] to September 2024. [11]
Graham Reynolds composed the score. He previously composed scores for several Linklater films, including A Scanner Darkly , Before Midnight , and Hit Man . [12]
Blue Moon premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 18, 2025. [13] The film was released in a limited theatrical release on October 17, 2025, before a wide release on October 24. [14] [15]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 92% of 60 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.8/10.The website's consensus reads: "While not the flashiest Richard Linklater film, Blue Moon boasts a wonderful performance by Ethan Hawke as he embodies a man hanging on by a thread while the audience hangs on to every word said." [16] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 78 out of 100, based on 16 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [17]
Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
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Berlin International Film Festival | February 23, 2025 | Golden Bear | Blue Moon | Nominated | [18] |
Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance | Andrew Scott | Won |