Inventive cinematic trickery helps Hawke play the diminutive Lorenz, and he disappears into the role, balancing the twinkle in his eye with underlying dark emotions. His wordplay is smart and hilarious, and his knowing interactions bristle with complex layers of intent as he recounts stories and pitches ideas. His extended scenes with the superb Qualley allow him to actively listen as well. This creates a remarkably well-rounded portrait of this talented man and his complicated feelings and connections.

Each of the side characters also offer telling moments, from Eddie's reluctance to keep serving him drinks to Richard's longing to have his old friend back, rather than the unreliable drunk he has become. There are also encounters with witty writer EB White (Kennedy), filmmaker George Roy Hill (Rawle) and little Stevie Sondheim (Sullivan) to add some extra kicks. And because a prolog has already told us that Lorenz will die eight months later, there's a bittersweet tone that infuses the entire film, making it both involving and ultimately moving.

themes, language

1.Oct.25

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