Richard Linklater's Cinematic Tribute to French New Wave Pioneer
From this critic's perspective, Richard Linklater stands as the most intriguing and accomplished film director currently working in contemporary cinema. His remarkable filmography includes what many consider the film of the century so far – the groundbreaking Boyhood from 2014 – alongside beloved classics like the enchanting Before Sunrise (1995) and its two subsequent trilogy installments. Not to mention the utterly joyful comedy School of Rock (2003) and the completely irresistible romantic comedy Hit Man (2023).
A Director Unafraid to Explore His Fascinations
Linklater never shies away from creating pictures that indulge his personal fascinations with various aspects of show-business. Indeed, this year has seen two such films arrive in quick succession. First came Blue Moon, his compellingly melancholic and deliberately theatrical account of a single night in the life of legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart.
Now arrives Nouvelle Vague, a delightful French-language, black-and-white chronicle documenting the making of Jean-Luc Godard's wonderful 1960 cinematic landmark A Bout de Souffle, internationally known as Breathless. Godard remains perhaps the most influential of all French film-makers, a true pioneer of the New Wave (Nouvelle Vague) movement that fundamentally transformed how movies were conceived and produced.
Breathless: A Cinematic Masterpiece Revisited
Breathless, Godard's debut feature, also stands as his undisputed masterpiece. While having seen and loved Breathless certainly enhances appreciation of Nouvelle Vague, Linklater's storytelling proves so joyful and engaging that it will captivate viewers regardless of their familiarity with Godard's original work.
The film recreates the dynamic between newcomer Jean-Paul Belmondo (portrayed by Aubry Dullin) as Michel, a petty criminal, and the more experienced Jean Seberg (played by Zoey Deutch) as his American girlfriend Patricia. Michel, much like Godard himself (Guillaume Marbeck), possesses a deep fascination with American film noir, though his obsession with Humphrey Bogart ultimately leads him too far astray.
Behind the Scenes of Cinematic Revolution
Linklater's film vividly captures the chaotic energy surrounding Godard's production. Not yet thirty years old, Godard had merely twenty days to complete his groundbreaking film, constantly clashing with producers to the point of public physical altercations. To accommodate an extremely tight budget, he famously hid his camera in a postman's trolley to avoid paying extras, and on the first day of filming wrapped after just two hours, openly admitting he had run out of ideas.
At one pivotal moment, Seberg questions whether Godard is simply making everything up as he progresses – and to a genuinely worrying extent, he absolutely was. This behind-the-scenes chaos forms the captivating core of Linklater's narrative.
Critical Reception and Cinematic Merits
Having premiered at last year's Cannes Film Festival, Nouvelle Vague received rapturous applause from audiences. While some might have considered it impertinent for an American director to tackle such quintessentially French cinematic history, any such reservations remained unvoiced amidst the celebration.
The film isn't without imperfections – while Dullin bears a striking physical resemblance to Belmondo, he doesn't quite capture the original star's fizzing charisma. Nevertheless, Nouvelle Vague emerges as an ineffably cool cinematic experience, ingeniously told in the distinctive style of Breathless itself, offering immense enjoyment for cinephiles and casual viewers alike.
Nouvelle Vague is currently screening in select cinemas nationwide.
Also Showing This Week
Kangaroo: A Bouncy Family Adventure
Kangaroo (PG, 107 minutes) presents a bouncy and bittersweet family film that highlights the wonderful unpredictability of the animal world. Unlike this week's other major release Primate (18), which serves as a cautionary – and extremely gory – horror story about the consequences of keeping a chimpanzee as a pet, Kangaroo approaches similar themes through a family-friendly lens.
This engaging tale follows an over-ambitious Sydney weatherman (Ryan Corr) who faces public disgrace following an unfortunate incident involving a dolphin. His journey toward redemption unfolds in the Australian Outback, where he befriends a spirited young girl (Lily Whiteley) and embraces her passion for nurturing baby kangaroos.
Kangaroo is now showing in major cinemas across the country.
