Blue Moon

Richard Linklater has a knack for setting his stories during memorable nights (see his Before trilogy). And, arguably, there is no night more memorable than a Broadway opening, as talented, semi-closeted lyricist Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) knows all too well, particularly when his name is not on the marquee.

On 31 March, 1943, Hart sneaks out of the opening night of musical Oklahoma!, written by his composing partner Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott) in a new collaboration with Oscar Hammerstein II (Simon Delaney). You don't need to be a theatre expert to know that that premiere changed everything for Rodgers and Hammerstein, who would go on to become one of the 20th century's most prolific musical theatre duos. As he senses defeat, Hart holes up at the Theatre District bar Sardi's for a night of reminiscing, telling the odd lewd joke about his young protégée, Elizabeth Weiland (Margaret Qualley), and drinking one too many shots with bartender Eddie (Bobby Cannavale).

With Blue Moon, Linklater crafts the anti-biopic. It's an ebullient yet melancholic Sunset Boulevard detailing one of Hart's lowest lows, just months before his death. Hawke is excellent as the exquisitely eloquent, flawed protagonist who's badly concealing his fragilities under layers of dark humour, hedonism and alcohol. Written by Robert Kaplow, Blue Moon occasionally loses itself in the hefty, though never empty, chatter, but Hawke's textured, theatrical performance will have you wanting a seat at the bar right next to him. Blue Moon isn't Linklater's most engaging film, but it is one of his finest.

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Released 28 Nov by Sony; certificate 15