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Ethan Hawke and Andrew Scott appeared together at the BFI London Film Festival to promote their new film, Blue Moon, a poignant portrayal of Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart’s twilight years, with Hawke’s transformative performance earning widespread acclaim.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Ethan Hawke and Andrew Scott recently graced the red carpet together at the premiere of their highly anticipated film, Blue Moon, during the BFI London Film Festival. Displaying a camaraderie that delighted onlookers, the two actors shared a playful embrace before entering the screening venue. Hawke, 54, cut a stylish figure in a dark navy suit paired with a crisp white shirt featuring subtle black stitching, while Scott, 48, chose a timeless black suit and layered look, highlighting their contrasting yet complementary styles. The event also attracted other notable attendees, including Victoria Brown, Giles Surridge, and Stevie Ruffs.<\/p>\n
Blue Moon delves into the life of Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart, portrayed by Hawke, as he confronts alcoholism and declining mental health amidst the backdrop of the opening of Oklahoma!. The film, directed by Richard Linklater and scripted by Robert Kaplow, explores Hart\u2019s complex character during a poignant 1943 night at Sardi\u2019s restaurant, where the fading star grapples with professional and personal losses. Hawke\u2019s transformation for the role involved shaving his head and adopting a greasy comb-over to capture Hart’s distinctive appearance, a change he described as “demolishing to my vanity.” This physical alteration not only changed how others treated him but also deepened his understanding of Hart\u2019s experience as a man who stood just five feet tall and was often underestimated.<\/p>\n
Andrew Scott plays Richard Rodgers, Hart\u2019s longtime composing partner, who had recently begun collaborating with Oscar Hammerstein II. The film examines the emotional unraveling of Hart as he sees his creative partnership dissolve and his own relevance wane in a rapidly shifting Broadway landscape. Margaret Qualley stars as Elizabeth Weiland, a Yale student and Hart\u2019s prot\u00e9g\u00e9e, adding layers of mentorship and unrequited fascination to the narrative. Sony Pictures Classics and Renovo Media Group are set to release Blue Moon on October 24, 2025, following its premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim and garnered a Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance awarded to Scott.<\/p>\n
Critics have praised Blue Moon for its heartfelt portrayal and sharp dialogue. According to industry reviews, the film stands as one of Linklater\u2019s most focused and affecting works, offering a character study that is both poignant and humorous. Hawke\u2019s performance as Hart is widely regarded as career-best, vividly capturing the lyricist\u2019s brilliance, vulnerabilities, and enduring charm. Linklater\u2019s direction reflects a long-standing affection for artists and orators, creating a monologue-driven tribute to forgotten creative figures grappling with obsolescence and lost dreams.<\/p>\n
Beyond the artistic achievements of Blue Moon, Ethan Hawke has publicly expressed his concerns about the casting practices in the film industry today. Speaking at the Berlin International Film Festival, he criticised the trend of casting based on social media followings rather than talent and experience. “Sometimes I’ll be setting a movie up and someone will say, ‘Oh, you should cast Suzie.’ I’m like, ‘Who is she?’ ‘She has ten million followers,'” Hawke remarked to Variety, adding, “So if I don’t have this public-facing platform, I don’t have a career? And if I get more followers I might get that part? What?” His candid reflections underscore ongoing debates about the evolving criteria for securing roles in cinema.<\/p>\n
Blue Moon is also notable for the creative team behind it. The film is a Detour\/Renovo production in association with Wild Atlantic Pictures, Under The Influence, and Cinetic Media. The production boasts an impressive roster, including director of photography Shane F. Kelly, production designer Susie Cullen, and costume designer Consolata Boyle, renowned for her multiple Oscar nominations. Editor Sandra Adair, a three-time Academy Award nominee, also lends her expertise. The collaboration between Linklater and Hawke marks their ninth project together, highlighting a creative partnership that has evolved over decades.<\/p>\n
Sony Pictures Classics has maintained a longstanding relationship with Linklater and Hawke, supporting a number of their acclaimed films including Boyhood and Before Midnight. The studio\u2019s involvement in Blue Moon signals confidence in the film\u2019s artistic and commercial potential, with an initial release in Los Angeles and New York on October 17, 2025, followed by a nationwide rollout a week later.<\/p>\n
Overall, Blue Moon is positioned as a deeply human and melancholic portrait of an artist\u2019s twilight, offering audiences a tender yet unflinching look at Lorenz Hart\u2019s legacy. It contrasts with Linklater’s other work released the same year, which explores the beginnings of artistic journeys, making Blue Moon a contemplative farewell to a creative life marked by brilliance and struggle.<\/p>\n