Richard Linklater directs Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley and Bobby Cannavale in this “one night in a bar” biopic of Lorenz Hart.

I genuinely think this is Hawke’s best performance in a career of great ones. Showy, intimate, bruising and hilarious. He is surrounded by a complimentary ensemble of people I have a lot of time for. The oner looks sumptuous as we move around the bar. As inviting and glowing as a freshly poured shot of rye. But that special effect to make him a short guy is laughably bad. He won’t win an Oscar due to some awfully terrible images the movie could have done without. Poor Ethan Hawke. Poor Lorenz Hart. At least the music stands up tall.

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Perfect Double Bill: Nouvelle Vague (2025)

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