Ethan Hawke brought the laughs last week at the New York Film Critics Circle awards, turning an old literary score into an unforgettable moment of comedy. Tasked with presenting the Best Actress award to Rose Byrne on January 6, Hawke couldn’t resist referencing Byrne’s 2010 review of his first novel.
“Some actors here, at the beginning of their careers, were critics too. Rose Byrne liked to write reviews for a little paper called Goodreads. And she reviewed my first novel, which she said, ‘it reads like a poor man’s attempt at a Ryan Adams song. Remember that, Rose?’” he joked.
Hawke added, “It’s a testament to how much I love your acting that I didn’t give a sh*t. I was glad you read my book!” The audience roared with laughter as Byrne, a mix of amused and embarrassed, took the stage to accept her award for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.
The review in question, for Hawke’s debut novel The Hottest State (1996), gave the book two out of five stars and described it as “lazing around on set and was a lovely easy read for a couple of days. It’s kind of like a Ryan Adams song but not as good.”
The story of literary roasts and on-screen collaborations continued in 2018 when Byrne co-starred with Hawke in the rom-com Juliet, Naked, where her character leaves an anonymous negative review of a musician’s work—a fun nod to their real-life history.
Byrne gracefully closed the moment with warmth: “Whether I see you on the street corner in Brooklyn or at a black tie event, your spirit is infectious, insightful, inspiring. I walk away having a better day.”
The playful exchange reminded everyone that Hollywood history isn’t just about glamour—it’s about fun, wit, and enduring respect. And if there’s one takeaway, it’s that no old review is too small to inspire a moment of magic between two stars.
