Terry Gross

So that was a long-term commitment.

Blue Moon takes place on one evening.

It's practically shot in real time.

So making movies that play with time like that, especially boyhood over 12 years, I'm wondering if that has shaped your understanding of time, what time means to you.

And each movie was separated by a few years.

She costars with you.

And you've made, what, nine of them now?

So how is getting older affecting your relationship with the passage of time?

Yeah, you're welcome.

Well, about aging, I mean, there comes a moment when you realize you're not the young person anymore.

And then how people look at you changes as you get older.

Well, we have to take another break, so I'm going to reintroduce you again.

If you're just joining us, my guest is Ethan Hawke, and among the new things he's starring in are Blue Moon, about lyricist Larry Hart, and the Sterling Harjo take on film noir, which is called The Lowdown.

We'll be right back after a short break.

I'm Terry Gross, and this is Fresh Air.

I want to ask you a

But he grew just really disillusioned with the life he was leading, performing all the time, traveling.

And he gave it up after years as a performer and decided that his calling was teaching as a private teacher to very talented pianists.

And he's also very wise.

You met him at a dinner party, and you'd asked him a couple of pretty profound questions, and he gave you interesting answers.