It actually helps that most people know Hart’s work better than his life story. He and composer Richard Rodgers created over twenty-four musicals and many classic songs, including the famous melody of “Blue Moon.” The film focuses on March 31, 1943, a time when Richard (played by Andrew Scott) is celebrating a new partnership with Oscar Hammerstein II (Simon Delaney). Their musical, *Oklahoma!*, has just begun its incredibly successful Broadway run. However, Lorenz Hart (Richard’s former partner) has already left the celebration to start drinking, believing *Oklahoma!* is overly sweet and fake. He claims he turned down the chance to adapt the original play, *Green Grow the Lilacs*, with Richard. Richard likely would have told a different story, attributing Lorenz’s departure to his alcoholism, depression, unpredictable behavior, and dislike of sentimental themes. Regardless, Lorenz has been left behind as Richard achieves success, and he’s now coping with his disappointment by drinking bourbon and trying to pitch an ambitious musical about Marco Polo – a project that seems connected to his personal obsession with a young woman named Elizabeth Weiland (Margaret Qualley).
