First Look: Ethan Hawke and Margaret Qualley at the Bar in Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon

The highly anticipated film Blue Moon, directed by Richard Linklater, has unveiled its first official image. Renowned for his acclaimed works such as Boyhood and the Before trilogy, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker is crafting a biopic about the legendary songwriter Lorenz Hart. This film is set to explore Hart’s later life, particularly focusing on the momentous opening night of Oklahoma!. Through this narrative, viewers will gain insight into Hart’s struggles with depression and alcoholism. The star-studded cast includes Ethan Hawke, Andrew Scott, Margaret Qualley, and Bobby Cannavale, with a release date projected for May 2025.

The recent announcement of the lineup for the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, reported by The Hollywood Reporter, featured a first look at Linklater’s Blue Moon. This event will mark the film’s world premiere, signifying Linklater’s fourth participation in the festival’s competition. The image depicts Qualley and Hawke at a bar, dressed in period attire, with Hawke seemingly kneeling and Qualley holding a vase of flowers. Check out the image below:

Margaret Qualley and Ethan Hawke in Blue Moon from Sabrina Lantos/Sony Pictures Classics

Implications of Blue Moon

A Significant Collaboration Between Linklater and Hawke

Blue Moon represents the ninth collaboration between Linklater and Hawke, illustrating a deeply-rooted professional relationship marked by a passion for storytelling. The project was first announced in June 2024 and draws its title from the iconic 1934 ballad by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. The film aims to depict the fraught partnership between Rodgers and Hart, who produced 28 musicals and wrote over 500 songs together from 1919 until the early 1940s. Ultimately, Hart’s struggles with depression and alcoholism led to the disbandment of this famous duo, as Rodgers sought a new partnership with Oscar Hammerstein II.

Set against the backdrop of Sardi’s Restaurant on March 31, 1943, the film will unfold during the opening night of Oklahoma!. The image released may indeed capture the essence of Sardi’s, a location of historical significance in the film’s narrative. While it remains uncertain whether Blue Moon will be predominantly set in one location—similar to classics like 12 Angry Men or The Hateful Eight—the structure might echo Linklater’s penchant for narratives that unfold over a 24-hour timeframe.

Our Perspective on the First Image of Blue Moon

Visuals Filled with Promise

Margaret Qualley in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

While initial impressions based solely on images can be misleading, the period costumes worn by Qualley and Hawke are striking and indicative of the film’s aesthetic. I am particularly curious to see how Linklater will direct Qualley, marking their inaugural collaboration. Given the history of successful partnerships in Linklater’s filmography, my expectations for Blue Moon and its impending world premiere are elevated.

Source: THR

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