‘Isn’t This Profound?’: Ethan Hawke Receives Coolidge Corner Theatre’s Coolidge Award

On Dec. 3, film enthusiasts and frequent Coolidge patrons filled the 432-seat moviehouse at Coolidge Corner Theatre to see actor Ethan Hawke receive this year’s Coolidge Award. This year, Hawke portrayed lyricist and songwriter Lorenz Hart in the film “Blue Moon,” a role for which he has received a Golden Globe nomination, as well as the Grabber in “Black Phone 2.”

The Coolidge Corner Theatre, a nonprofit independent cinema in Brookline, screens independent, international, and documentary films. More than just a cinema, however, it serves as a cultural center and gathering place, hosting classes, seminars, and community events.

The Coolidge Award has existed for over 20 years, honoring film artists who have demonstrated exceptional creativity and originality in their careers. Past recipients include Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda, and Francis Ford Coppola, among many others.

According to Beth Gilligan, the theater’s deputy director, the award has strengthened the Coolidge’s presence not only within the local community, but also on a national level.

“I think the Coolidge Award has really helped underscore the national importance of the Coolidge,” she said. “And it’s just been so rewarding also to be able to connect people locally with these incredible film artists because we’re not a film industry town, we’re not New York and LA or London. And so we’ve really brought people here who I think maybe otherwise might not have come by.”

Gilligan explained that Hawke was chosen not only for his acting accomplishments, but also for the breadth of his artistic work beyond film.

“He’s somebody who consistently kind of pushes himself, pushes boundaries, is always open to learning, exploring. He’s such a multifaceted artist that he’s not just acting. He’s also writing, he’s directing, he’s producing, he’s in plays, he’s writing novels, he’s writing screenplays, he’s sort of consistently interesting and for a long time underrated artist,” Gilligan said.

Most attendees of the award ceremony have spent countless afternoons and evenings inside the historic theater. For Madison Smithwick, a Boston local and Coolidge frequent, the space has shaped both her social life and her love of film.

“It means a lot. I love coming here with my friends. I go to a lot of their midnight showings, and it’s the way that I’ve seen a lot of my favorite movies. I’ve made a lot of friends here,” she said. “And Ethan Hawke is my favorite actor.”

Even for those who haven’t lived nearby for long, the Coolidge holds deep personal significance. Sam Thayer, who only moved to Brookline earlier this year, described the theater as a very important place for him.

“Well, I’ve been coming here for a few years now. I moved to Brookline this past year, so this is my neighborhood spot. It just feels like home to me, honestly,” he said.

The ceremony itself took the form of a conversation between Hawke and Jared Bowen, an Emmy Award-winning executive arts editor and host of “The Culture Show.” Their dialogue ranged from Hawke’s experiences on film sets to reflections on his career and a 2015 project he starred in, “Born to Be Blue,” in which he portrays jazz legend Chet Baker — a role that required him to learn the trumpet.

Hawke recalled his determination to master playing the trumpet: “My teacher looked at me and said, ‘If you push eight years, I still wouldn’t believe you’re anything like Chet Baker.’ And I said, ‘Oh, okay, cool.’”

He contrasted that challenge with roles in which he felt naturally suited to the character.

“Sometimes there are characters, I’ve been cast so well, sometimes that it’s just — it’s so fun and easy,” Hawke said. “Sometimes you’re well cast — your flaws are right for the character.”

Much of Hawke’s commentary focused on the nature of acting itself and what continues to excite him about the craft.

“Like, isn’t this beautiful? What do you think about this? Does that make you laugh? Isn’t that profound?” he said, reflecting on the joy and exhilaration of acting. “Part of you is playing the character, and another part of you is saying, ‘Isn't this magnificent?’ ‘Do you see why this is so great?’”

As the one-hour conversation drew to a close, Hawke reflected on a broader philosophy that extends beyond acting and art.

“We’re not owed our next breath, we’re not owed the next morning. There’s so much beautiful that’s happening around us, and we need to operate from that vantage point,” he said.

Following a standing ovation, Hawke was presented with the Coolidge Award, bringing the celebratory evening to its end.