Sundance Film Festival: Blaze Foley didn't want to be a country star. He wanted to be a legend. Because "a legend stands for something that lasts forever." Ethan Hawke's new directorial achievement, "BLAZE" seeks to share the story of a legend. It premiered Sunday afternoon in Park City.

The film tells the story of Blaze (born Michael Fuller) from the time he meets his eventual wife, Sybil Rosen, until his untimely death in 1989. Foley was shot and killed in an altercation with Carey January, the son of a friend he was visiting.

The narrative weaves through time, braiding together Blaze's tale from the points of view of those who knew him. His friend Townes Van Zant (Charlie Sexton) once quipped, "He only went crazy once, but he stayed there."

And thus is born an intimate portrayal of the man few—if any—understood. It is a story that manages to tell so much about Blaze Foley without ever trying to assume what he actually thought or felt about anything. Using the memories of friends intermixed with a somewhat linear narrative, the result is a beautiful portrait of a man who was always searching for his path.

Ben Dickey is phenomenal in his first film. He is quite a find and embraces the role of care and compassion. From the early days of falling in love to his final hours soaked in booze and cocaine, Dickey never overplays any of it. He holds onto the heart of this man, managing to give him moments of dignity, despite the circumstances.

Alia Shawkat is also great as Blaze's beloved Sybil. She is a fully formed woman in her own right, shirking what could have been relegated to a standard Long Lost Muse. She has goals and plans and continues working toward them when Blaze is around and when he isn't. Shawkat gives her strength and heart.

Some of the credit for Sybil's well-developed character comes from the script. For this project, Ethan Hawke joined forces with the real-life Sybil Rosen. Together, they took great care to give both Blaze and Sybil depth and meaning.

The supporting cast is comprised of a talented collection of actors including Josh Hamilton, Steve Zahn, and Sam Rockwell. These players pop in and out of the film in key moments, but the heart of this story belongs to Blaze and Sybil.

From a technical standpoint, the film all comes together nicely, too. The cinematography and production design capture the isolation of a man who is, in so many ways, trapped inside his own mind. The costume designer managed to incorporate Blaze's notorious use of duct tape in crafting his eclectic wardrobe. This is a production that is polished in the craft of creating a very unpolished life.

Ethan Hawke is a talented actor and writer. His multiple Academy Award nominations prove it. Although "BLAZE" does not mark his debut as a director, it is the film that proves he is as good off-screen as he is on it.

GRADE: (★★★★)

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