Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater, two of cinema's most accomplished collaborators, sat in the plush hotel suite, discussing their latest film, Blue Moon. The conversation was as effortless as it was sprawling, touching on everything from politics to the Beatles to the late films of John Huston.
The two men have been making movies together for over 30 years, and their partnership has spawned a string of critically acclaimed films, including Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and Before Midnight. But this latest film, set in 1940s Broadway, was a departure from their usual fare. Hawke plays the role of Lorenz Hart, a jilted lyricist who finds himself at the bar on the opening night of Oklahoma!.
The transformation required to play Hart was significant for Hawke. He shaved his head and stood in front of a mirror to appear shorter than his co-stars, a physical metamorphosis that took some getting used to. "It felt like I was hitting the wall of my talent," he admitted, recalling the challenge of playing someone who was not himself.
Linklater, ever the wit, countered that Hart's struggles were a familiar tale for many creatives. "Addiction is always the endgame," he said, nodding towards Hawke's previous roles in films like Before the Devil Knows You're Dead. The weight of addiction can be crushing, and it's often the final blow.
The conversation turned to their own careers, with Linklater noting that their success has afforded them a degree of freedom. "We don't have to worry about making enough money," he said, laughing. Hawke concurred, insisting that art was the true measure of success. "You can never equate success with money," he said, gesturing around the suite. "This is where we are – in the major leagues."
Their partnership has been a long and winding road, marked by both triumph and struggle. They have lost friends and colleagues to addiction and depression, but their own relationship has endured. Hawke praised Linklater's ability to stay curious, even as he approaches old age. "You haven't lost that at all," he said.
Linklater acknowledged the challenge of maintaining idealism in a profession that can be brutal. "Depression is what it feels like when you lose interest in things," he said, his voice tinged with empathy. Hawke countered that Linklater's dedication to his craft was a testament to his enduring passion.
As our conversation drew to a close, the two men reflected on their partnership and its many triumphs. They were aware of the scrutiny that comes with being two of cinema's most respected collaborators, but they were also acutely aware of the value of their friendship. "It's not about status," Hawke said, his voice sincere. "It's about making good art."
In a room filled with the trappings of fame and success, Hawke and Linklater found common ground in their dedication to their craft. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping coffee and watching the world go by through the hotel suite window.
As we parted ways, I couldn't help but wonder what other conversations lay ahead between these two cinematic giants. One thing is certain: their partnership will continue to produce some of the most memorable films of our time.
The two men have been making movies together for over 30 years, and their partnership has spawned a string of critically acclaimed films, including Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and Before Midnight. But this latest film, set in 1940s Broadway, was a departure from their usual fare. Hawke plays the role of Lorenz Hart, a jilted lyricist who finds himself at the bar on the opening night of Oklahoma!.
The transformation required to play Hart was significant for Hawke. He shaved his head and stood in front of a mirror to appear shorter than his co-stars, a physical metamorphosis that took some getting used to. "It felt like I was hitting the wall of my talent," he admitted, recalling the challenge of playing someone who was not himself.
Linklater, ever the wit, countered that Hart's struggles were a familiar tale for many creatives. "Addiction is always the endgame," he said, nodding towards Hawke's previous roles in films like Before the Devil Knows You're Dead. The weight of addiction can be crushing, and it's often the final blow.
The conversation turned to their own careers, with Linklater noting that their success has afforded them a degree of freedom. "We don't have to worry about making enough money," he said, laughing. Hawke concurred, insisting that art was the true measure of success. "You can never equate success with money," he said, gesturing around the suite. "This is where we are – in the major leagues."
Their partnership has been a long and winding road, marked by both triumph and struggle. They have lost friends and colleagues to addiction and depression, but their own relationship has endured. Hawke praised Linklater's ability to stay curious, even as he approaches old age. "You haven't lost that at all," he said.
Linklater acknowledged the challenge of maintaining idealism in a profession that can be brutal. "Depression is what it feels like when you lose interest in things," he said, his voice tinged with empathy. Hawke countered that Linklater's dedication to his craft was a testament to his enduring passion.
As our conversation drew to a close, the two men reflected on their partnership and its many triumphs. They were aware of the scrutiny that comes with being two of cinema's most respected collaborators, but they were also acutely aware of the value of their friendship. "It's not about status," Hawke said, his voice sincere. "It's about making good art."
In a room filled with the trappings of fame and success, Hawke and Linklater found common ground in their dedication to their craft. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping coffee and watching the world go by through the hotel suite window.
As we parted ways, I couldn't help but wonder what other conversations lay ahead between these two cinematic giants. One thing is certain: their partnership will continue to produce some of the most memorable films of our time.
they're not worried about the benjamins, they know what matters most - telling stories that matter 
it's beautiful to see two legends still pushing each other to make something real, something true 
️ we can all learn from their dedication to their craft and each other 
ethan hawke and richard linklater are like, super talented and all, but i'm not sure if they're making good art anymore. i mean, have you seen their previous stuff? it's all so... familiar. and isn't that the problem with addiction, or whatever hart's struggling with in this film? can't we just move on to something new? 
i think what i'm saying is actually kinda contradictory. maybe they are still making good art, even if it does feel familiar? and maybe that's a good thing? shouldn't we be striving for consistency in our craft? 
. Ethan Hawke's transformation for that film was wild, btw - who knew he could pull off Lorenz Hart's look? 
But seriously, their partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration and dedication to art. Richard Linklater's still got it – his curiosity and passion are inspiring! 
. Let's hope we get more of these thoughtful conversations from them in the future 
It’s like they’re speaking their minds freely, without any filter or expectation of what others might think. They just connect on a human level, which is really beautiful.
. It's all just a deep dive into their passion for art and life. I mean, who wouldn't want to talk about John Huston or the Beatles with two of the most talented guys in Hollywood? But what really stood out to me was how they both seem so grounded despite all the success and scrutiny that comes with it. Hawke's right, making good art is what it's all about 
. It's refreshing to see them prioritize their friendship and creativity over any material gain. And can we talk about the physical transformation Hawke went through to play Lorenz Hart? That's dedication! 
. They didn't seem to be bitter or resentful about their fame, which is what I think sets them apart from some other successful people. For them, it's not about being famous, but about making art that resonates with others 
They're like two old friends who still care about each other's well-being after all the ups and downs they've been through in this crazy industry... anyway, can't wait to see what they come up with next 
... it's almost as if they've discovered this secret ingredient to success that doesn't involve money or fame 
... and honestly, who needs status when you have something like that? 
they're like two old friends who've been makin' magic together for decades! it's beautiful to see how much care and attention they put into their craft, not just financially but also emotionally 
their dedication to making good art is truly admirable. and I love how they keep each other grounded and inspired, even with all the scrutiny that comes with being legends in the film industry 
These two are like me and my couch, they just get along so well! Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater have been making movies together for over 30 years, that's like a lifetime of Netflix shows, fam 
! I love how they still make time for deep conversations about life, art, and everything in between. It's like they're saying "let's grab coffee and talk about something other than the box office" 
! Anyway, I'm all about that collaboration life - they're proof that good art is worth more than a million bucks