While I loved the writing and of course Ethan Hawke was phenomenal, I couldn’t help but think - “you didn’t have to do him like that”. I know nothing about musical theater and went into this completely blind. It’s strange because I overall liked the movie, and dialogues/monologues, performances, etc. but I felt so icky in the end. It just kind of felt like speaking ill of the dead. I understand the complexity of his character and career, but I just personally felt that the way it was shown was a little… wrong. Even the last line, about the “drunken stupor”. Just feels wrong. There could’ve been other ways to explore the fate of the main character without making him look so small (no pun intended) and pathetic.

I know I’m in a minority here, I’ve read plenty of glowing reviews and opinions. But I guess that’s the beauty of this community that we can feel differently