During the weekend, I went with a neighbor to see the latest Richard Linklater movie, “Blue Moon.” My neighbor is social and a brilliant person who invited five other women to lunch and the movie. She frequently has get togethers like a Christmas lunch for 30 women, hosting a wedding shower in her home, and more recently having a birthday party of 12 for a neighbor. She seems to have limitless energy and the ability to organize and get people to show up!
I’ve seen a few Linklater movies that I really liked. The one that stuck with me was “Boyhood” which took place over 12 years, following one boy’s life from childhood to college. Ethan Hawke played the father and Patricia Arquette won an Academy Award for best supporting actress as the mother. I thought it was a remarkable project to undertake filming over so many years.
Linklater’s frequently writes and/or directs movies starring children or teenagers, e.g., Dazed and Confused (1993), School of Rock (2003), Bad News Bears (2005), Boyhood (2014) and Everybody Wants Some!! (2016).
Another common theme in his movies is they take place during one day — with the obvious exception of Boyhood. Blue Moon took place on the opening night of Oklahoma! on Broadway.
It’s the story of Lorenz Hart of Rodgers and Hart fame. After a falling out due to mental instability and alcoholism, Hart is replaced by Oscar Hammerstein. Rodgers and Hart are true opposites. Rodgers is a family man who wants to write music on a strict schedule. Hart rarely gets to bed before morning and spends his life smoking cigars and drinking bourbon in bars.
Although the movie dragged in places and the story isn’t uplifting, the writing is amazing and Ethan Hawke was beyond remarkable. I’ve read his role is worthy of Best Actor honors at the Academy Awards.
What I found especially interesting was the reaction of our row of seven women at the theatre. The woman sitting next to me was sound to sleep through most of the movie.
“Well that was uplifting!” one woman said sarcastically.
“I had such a great time today, in spite of the fact the movie sucked!” another woman said.
I rode home with my neighbor who had arranged the day for us. We drove home talking about all the things that we loved about the movie. I enjoyed what my daughter called an “Easter egg” of Hart talking with E.B. White in the bar and giving him the idea to write about a little mouse named Stuart with a “U” not a “W.”
What movies have you been to with great reviews that you didn’t like?
Then the reverse, what movies did other people not like that you enjoyed?
Official trailer of Blue Moon.
Here’s Billie Holiday’s rendition of the song Blue Moon:
I saw Mastermind which has I think over 90 on rotten tomatoes and I was eh about it. I know I’ve seen movies that I thought were unfairly judged but I can’t think of one now. But yes …happens all the time. I thought Birdman, which won best picture, was a train wreck.
Before COVID we would go to the movies every week. We were only a few blocks from a theater. Now it’s so rare we go to the movies, because it’s a 30-minute drive and we don’t hear much about good movies. I haven’t seen either of the movies you mentioned.
Birdman was a while ago. Mastermind just came out this past weekend
I had no idea. That’s how often I go to movies since COVID.
😂
😊
I love the expression “Once in a blue moon.”
It’s a good one!
I would like to see Blue Moon. It looks interesting to me—the music, theatre, and history—and I admire Ethan Hawke. Your neighbor sounds wonderful!
My neighbor is such a delight. Her husband was our the sellers realtor and they live three doors up from us. When we moved, this neighbor told me she’d take me under her wing — and she has.
I’m with Lori – your summary of the movie drew me in. Thank you so much, Elizabeth! 💝
I was so surprised with the different takes on the movie. I found it interesting and had so much going for it. Although it was a little slow. But the good outweighed the bad. I loved the history, too.
Sounds good to me! 😉❤️😉
The dialogue and acting is amazing!
I love that your friend is good at gathering people for celebrations and outings. It’s not a talent I have or want (I’m too introverted), but I appreciate it in others. I haven’t been to a movie in a theater in ages but I do like TV shows and movies that make me think. Not everything needs to be uplifting.
I’m with you on not being the one to schedule gatherings. I’m introverted also. I was talking to my neighbor about her childhood and she had three older brothers and they always had a household of high school kids plus her parents entertained all the time. I grew up in a quiet home.
What a gracious neighbor you have Elizabeth. I often avoid movies with great reviews as they often disappoint. Only the latest Superman movie that I saw on my niece’s recommendation was good.
I love my neighbor. I’m so fortunate to have her.
Indeed, good neighbors are a blessing
How fun to do this as a group even if the movie wasn’t stellar. Such a cool Easter egg – that’s awesome!
My kids are huge Linklater and Ethan Hawke fans, so I probably went into the movie with an outlook that the other women didn’t have. Also, it was my favorite restaurant with fresh seafood flown in from the PNW! Also, EB White is a hero to me. Perfect day for me!
<3
How nice to have a neighbor who loves to put together social events for friends! I’m drawing a bit of a blank on your questions, though. I do watch plenty of movies. I thought “Barbie” was rather meh. I watched “Conclave” yesterday and liked it more than I expected.
I didn’t see “Barbie” and had no desire too. I have watched “Conclave” and found it very interesting. My neighbor is such a joy to have nearby.
I love that you have this friend with limitless energy, who regularly gathers her friends together. What a gem!
I’ve not heard of this movie….it’s as though I live under a rock. I’ve not been to the movie theater since well before the pandemic. I’m entertained at home, very easily, and also, it seems that so many movies are not that great anymore.
I am with you on the lack of movies that interest me. We moved from Palm Springs to Scottsdale during the COVID shut down. We were within walking distance to a theater before our move. Now it’s a drive of more than 30 minutes, and we rarely go anymore.