Blue Moon (2025 film)

Last updated

Blue Moon
Blue Moon poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Richard Linklater
Written by Robert Kaplow
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyShane F. Kelly
Edited by Sandra Adair
Music by Graham Reynolds
Production
companies
  • Detour Filmproduction
  • Renovo Media Group
  • Wild Atlantic Pictures
  • Cinetic Media
  • Not To Be Seen Productions
  • Under the Influence Productions
  • Concord Originals
Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics
Release dates
  • February 18, 2025 (2025-02-18)(Berlin)
  • October 17, 2025 (2025-10-17)(United States)
Running time
100 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

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 as he reflects on himself on the opening night of Oklahoma! , a new musical by his former colleague Richard Rodgers. It stars Ethan Hawke as Hart, alongside Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale and Andrew Scott as Rodgers.

Contents

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. [2]

Premise

The story is set largely on March 31, 1943, the opening night of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! , with Rodgers' former creative partner Lorenz Hart struggling with alcoholism and depression. [3] Most of the film takes place at the bar of 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 bitch about his former creative partner's new hit musical. Bobby Cannavale plays a barman who lends an ear while trying not to serve Hart liquor. [4]

Plot

Cast

Production

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. [5] 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 began in early July 2024, in Dublin and continued into August 2024. [6] [7] [8] Filming wrapped in September 2024. [9]

Music

Graham Reynolds was revealed to have composed the score. [10]

Release

(l-r) Qualley, Hawke, Linklater, and Scott at Berlinale Film Crew of Blue Moon.jpg
(l-r) Qualley, Hawke, Linklater, and Scott at Berlinale

Blue Moon premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 18, 2025. [11] The film is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on October 17, 2025, before a wide release on October 24. [12] [13]

Reception

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 96% score based on 26 reviews, with an average rating of 7.6/10, indicating a "Fresh" consensus. [14] On Metacritic, the film holds a weighted average score of 76/100 based on 12 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [15]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipientResultRef.
Berlin International Film Festival February 23, 2025 Golden Bear Blue MoonNominated [16]
Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance Andrew Scott Won

References

  1. ↑ "Blue Moon[M]". Australian Classification Board . June 24, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  2. ↑ Ntim, Zac (February 22, 2025). "Berlin Film Festival: Norwegian Film 'Dreams (Sex Love)' Wins Golden Bear, Andrew Scott & Rose Byrne Take Acting Honors — Full List". Deadline. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  3. ↑ Welk, Brian (June 18, 2024). "Richard Linklater Reuniting with Ethan Hawke on 'Blue Moon' for Sony Pictures Classics". IndieWire . Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  4. ↑ Russell, Stephen A. "Blue Moon review". TimeOut . Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  5. ↑ Grobar, Matt (June 3, 2024). "Richard Linklater Developing Film 'Blue Moon' On Famed American Songwriters Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart, Their Parting Of Ways". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  6. ↑ Grobar, Matt (June 18, 2024). "Sony Pictures Classics Acquires Richard Linklater's 'Blue Moon'; Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale & Andrew Scott Set To Star". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  7. ↑ Calnan, Ellie (July 4, 2024). "2024 film and high-end TV productions shooting in the UK and Ireland: latest updates". Screen Daily . Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  8. ↑ Calnan, Ellie (August 14, 2024). "2024 film and high-end TV productions shooting in the UK and Ireland: latest updates". Screen Daily. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  9. ↑ Ruimy, Jordan (October 21, 2024). "Richard Linklater's 'Blue Moon' Sets May 2025 Release Date". World of Reel. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Graham Reynolds Scoring Richard Linklater's 'Blue Moon'". Film Music Reporter. February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  11. ↑ Bergeson, Samantha (January 20, 2025). "Margaret Qualley Says Starring in Richard Linklater's 'Blue Moon' Was 'Life-Changing'". Indie Wire . Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  12. ↑ Fuster, Jeremy (May 12, 2025). "Richard Linklater's 'Blue Moon' Set for October Release by Sony Pictures Classics". TheWrap. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  13. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 12, 2025). "Richard Linklater's 'Blue Moon' To Rise This Fall". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Blue Moon (2025)". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Blue Moon Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  16. ↑ Scott Roxborough (January 21, 2025). "Berlin Film Festival Lineup: Movies From Richard Linklater, Michel Franco, Hang Song-Soo in Competition (Full List)". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved January 26, 2025.
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