Film Review: Blue Moon
You know that sound when a needle is dropped on a vinyl record, that realisation that the crackle is actually part of the magic? That is exactly what watching Blue Moon feels like. It grabs your attention without needing the quick cuts or explosions that most modern films rely on to keep you awake.
The movie is set in Sardi’s restaurant in New York City. Those who have spent time in New York know the city has a very specific atmosphere, and this film captures it perfectly. It isn't the shiny, tourist-friendly version of the city; it is the real, gritty version revealed right from the opening scene.
The first 40 minutes trap you in the restaurant with the starring character. You would think this is a recipe for a nap, but the story moves with a pace set and maintained by the lead, Ethan Hawke. I was so convinced this was adapted from a stage play that I actually looked it up—but no, it was written for the screen. It carries that heavy, intimate performance you expect in the theatre. While it could be a play, I pity the actor who tries to fill those shoes after Hawke.
The story centres on Lorenz Hart, a complex guy who had it all and lost it—or maybe threw it away. He was said to be a genius of his time, responsible for lyrics that defined a generation of music ([Blue Moon], [My Funny Valentine], [The Lady is a Tramp]), yet you cannot help but pity him. It’s a strange mix of being impressed by the man while feeling sorry for him. You are left wondering: was he brilliant, or just fortunate to be in the right place before the world changed? He definitely had a spark, but watching him on screen, you realize that what was once brilliance had turned into desperation.
This movie got me thinking about how fame used to work. Gone are the days when people could become famous just for writing words. Today, you need a brand, a TikTok presence, and a skincare line. Who is the closest comparison we have now? Maybe a Max Martin type in the music industry, but even that doesn't quite fit. We just don't make celebrities out of writers anymore, and this movie is a reminder of that lost era.
Central to the movie are two very human conflicts: Jealousy and Love—though for a change, they aren't directed at the same person.
There is jealousy of a colleague, even when you love them and want them to do well. It’s a complex emotion to explore. We see Hart struggling with his partner's success with Oklahoma!, showing us that the heart is quicker than the eye. We deceive ourselves to protect our egos, and the movie lays that deception bare.
Then there is the "love story," which is really just a lesson in self-torture. You watch him pin his hopes on a connection that is doomed before it starts simply because he is chasing the unobtainable. It is heart-breaking to see a man so talented not feel that way when he looks in the mirror. He is aware that what he desires is out of reach, not just because of circumstance, but because of who he is. The film doesn't shy away from his insecurities: his height, his fading looks, his chaotic personality, and that brutal stage of life where 47 feels ancient. He is in love with a fantasy that his reality just won't support.
Speaking of 47 being ancient, it is weird that in that era, that everyone seemed older that they would now. Even the 20-year-olds look like they have lived three lifetimes. It is a sharp reminder of how much we have softened compared to the grit of the mid-20th century.
I have to be honest about the viewing experience: I was happy I took the time to see this in a theatre. Locked away in the dark in a theatre that was almost empty, I could follow the thread of the movie. If I had tried to watch this at home, with tasks calling my name or my notifications coming from my phone, it might have come across as boring. It requires you to disconnect from the noise. It is not "content" to consume while you scroll.
Ultimately, Blue Moon is raw and uncomfortable. I walked out thinking about how fragile talent really is.
If you are in the mood for something that treats you like an adult and remembers a time when words mattered more than image, go see it. Just make sure you turn your phone off.
Rating: 3.5/5