Blue Moon (2025)

Pettit finds the chamber drama poignant and compelling, with a sadness that avoids becoming overly melancholic. She particularly praises the performances, singling out Margaret Qualley’s scene about a confusing college fling.

Grierson finds the film an understated, profound elegy for an artist confronting his decline. He especially praises Ethan Hawke’s vulnerable and egoless portrayal of Lorenz Hart.

The critic finds the film witty, poignant and finely nuanced. Hawke’s energetic performance and Linklater’s sensitive direction are singled out for praise.

Opie finds the film a vibrant, witty portrait that brings viewers closer to Hart, though it does not fully succeed and sags somewhat in the middle. He especially praises Ethan Hawke’s commanding, nuanced performance and his chemistry with Andrew Scott.

Jenkins finds the film handsome but slight, meandering, and lacking purpose. He praises Ethan Hawke’s immersive, appealing portrayal of Hart, while criticizing the piling up of humiliations and predictable foreshadowing.

The critic finds the film beautifully executed, fascinatingly nuanced, and a satisfying addition to Linklater and Hawke’s collaboration. Hawke’s performance is singled out for capturing Hart’s razor-sharp wit alongside the damage and loneliness beneath it.

Brody praises Blue Moon as a moving portrait of a gifted artist confronting obsolescence. He singles out Ethan Hawke’s transformative performance and the film’s vivid embodiment of Hart’s intellect and personality.

The review presents the film as a sassy, heartsore gem. It singles out the reunion of Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke and Andrew Scott for praise.

Bradshaw finds the film witty and heartbreakingly sad, praising Ethan Hawke’s terrific, campy performance as Lorenz Hart. He singles out the film’s sharp portrayal of Hart’s overlapping professional and romantic disappointments.

Willmore finds the film unexpectedly rewarding, despite occasional contrivances in its script. She particularly praises Ethan Hawke’s nuanced performance and the despair he conveys through small gestures.

The review finds Linklater’s portrait of Hart sharp and compelling, though it criticizes the casting of Ethan Hawke as distracting. It praises the writing’s acidic wit, even as Hawke’s height and appearance undercut some of its impact.

Shaffer finds the film succeeds despite a stumble in its extended monologue, thanks to the force of Ethan Hawke’s performance. He praises Hawke’s emotional depth and the film’s willingness to trust audiences with deliberate dialogue.

Ide finds the film elegantly witty and melancholic, with Ethan Hawke delivering an excellent performance. She particularly praises his portrayal of Hart’s bitter, needy wit, though she notes the height-reduction techniques can feel unconvincing.

The headline presents the film as a tender, positive portrait. It singles out the performances of Ethan Hawke and Andrew Scott as shining.

Debruge finds the film splendid and its screenplay sparkling, despite Hawke being badly miscast. He praises the witty, richly layered writing while criticizing the distracting hairpiece and physical tricks used to transform the actor.

The available standfirst frames the film as a poignant portrait of Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart. It singles out the performances of Ethan Hawke, Andrew Scott and Margaret Qualley, but the review’s fuller verdict is unavailable.

The accessible page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It provides no praise or complaint to identify.

Macnab finds Blue Moon a minor, stagey and increasingly claustrophobic Linklater film, despite its witty dialogue. He praises Ethan Hawke’s quirky, courageous performance, which makes the self-pitying Lorenz Hart compelling.

The critic finds the film a poignant, quietly powerful character study. Hawke’s nuanced performance is singled out for grounding Hart’s flamboyance, fragility, and loneliness.

The review finds the film a tragic, engrossing showcase for Linklater and Hawke, though Hart’s long speeches can become exhausting. It especially praises Hawke’s performance and the quiet moments that reveal Hart’s loneliness.

Wilkinson finds the film an engaging, melancholic character study, though some asides feel excessive. She especially praises Ethan Hawke’s portrayal of Hart’s wit and sadness.

The critic finds the film a bittersweet, engaging portrait of a man watching his world change. They praise its nuanced characterization and unobtrusive, stagey presentation of Hart’s story.

Bunbury finds the chamber piece compelling but an uncomfortable experience, with Hawke making Hart’s genius and neediness painfully vivid. She especially praises the evocative atmosphere of a vanishing Broadway-era New York.

The review finds Blue Moon less engaging than Linklater’s best, but still one of his finest films. It particularly praises Ethan Hawke’s textured, theatrical performance as Lorenz Hart.