Richard Linklater’s film Nouvelle Vague offers a detailed, stylish portrayal of the French New Wave through the lens of Jean-Luc Godard’s efforts to make his groundbreaking debut feature, Breathless. Set in 1959 France, the film revisits one of cinema’s most transformative periods, capturing the passion and innovation of a generation of directors who sought to break free from traditional filmmaking norms. This artistic focus on Godard and his contemporaries underlines how the Richard Linklater Nouvelle Vague offers both a tribute and an exploration of a crucial moment in film history.
By recreating the era in black-and-white and using the Academy ratio characteristic of the period, Linklater’s film immerses viewers in the aesthetic and ethos of the movement. Rather than adopting Godard’s often brash rebelliousness, Nouvelle Vague delivers a lovingly accurate, if somewhat restrained, homage to an unorthodox filmmaker and the community that surrounded him.
The New Wave’s Key Players and the Birth of Breathless
The narrative centers around a young Jean-Luc Godard, portrayed by Guillaume Marbeck, who is portrayed as both anxious and determined as he prepares to make his first film amid an emerging French New Wave scene. The audience witnesses the premiere of François Truffaut’s The 400 Blows, an event signaling the shift from critics to filmmakers within the Cahiers du Cinéma group, with Godard as the last member to make the leap.
Godard’s producer, Georges de Beauregard, played powerfully by Bruno Dreyfürst, offers a cautious yet pivotal endorsement to move forward with Breathless. Beauregard’s skepticism of Godard’s unconventional approach contrasts with the director’s resolve to capture reality in a spontaneous, unpolished manner. Before filming starts, Godard seeks advice from European film legends such as Jean-Pierre Melville and Roberto Rossellini, the latter urging him to “shoot quickly,” a directive that would heavily influence the production style.
Godard’s production philosophy is deliberately unorthodox: avoiding scripts, lights, and soundstages, choosing instead to shoot impromptu and embrace unpredictability. When shooting begins, he immediately sets a brisk pace, wrapping the first day in just two hours, embodying his mantra:
I’m trying to seize reality at random,
said Godard during the film’s depiction, capturing a drive toward an authentic cinematic experience that rejects polished convention.
An Immersive Depiction of Collaborative Creativity
Nouvelle Vague traces the day-to-day work behind Breathless, focusing on Godard’s casting choices, with Aubry Dullin as Jean-Paul Belmondo, the charismatic gangster, and Zoey Deutch as Jean Seberg, the American student caught up in the story. The casting is widely praised, with the casting director Catherine Schwartz noted as exceptionally skilled in assembling actors that evoke the spirit of the original film.
Linklater’s own filmmaking background, known for his relaxed pacing and embrace of natural conversation in films like Before Sunset and Slacker, lends authenticity to these scenes of improvisational production. Godard’s quick and rough filming style contrasts with Linklater’s gentler pace but shares the same faith in capturing moments organically, emphasizing how innovation in technique reflects a deeper desire to redefine storytelling.
Balancing Reverence for the Past with Innovation
Throughout Nouvelle Vague, Godard is depicted as synthesizing influences from various sources—including Ingmar Bergman’s introspection, Duke Ellington’s rhythm, and Humphrey Bogart’s persona—while carving out his unique voice. This creative tension highlights how artistic evolution often involves both paying homage and breaking traditions.
The film proposes that true artistic growth requires honoring cinematic heritage while daring to forge new paths, embodied perfectly in Godard’s pioneering work on Breathless. This portrayal invites reflection on the nature of creativity, reminding viewers how the past and future continually intersect in the creative process.
Linklater’s Dual Artistic Tribute This Season
Nouvelle Vague is one of two late 2023 films by Richard Linklater focusing on iconic artists. The other, Blue Moon, stars Ethan Hawke as lyricist Lorenz Hart, exploring the nature of artistry through music. Both films, rich with classic Bogart quotes, delve into what makes creative works resonate beyond their time, a theme linking the two projects despite their different subject matter.
By focusing so intently on Godard’s journey and the collaborative atmosphere of the French New Wave, Nouvelle Vague maintains a sense of cinematic intimacy and reverence for a collective artistic spirit that feels increasingly rare in an industry dominated by risk aversion and formulaic branding.
The Lasting Impact of Nouvelle Vague on Cinema Culture
This Netflix release offers not only a historical account but also a reminder that less can achieve much more in artistry. Godard’s impulsive, off-the-cuff approach to filmmaking, as showcased in the movie, contrasts with the contemporary film landscape where calculated productions often limit experimentation.
By revisiting the inventive origins of the French New Wave, Nouvelle Vague underscores the importance of courage and community among young filmmakers with ambitious visions. It serves as both an inspiration and a call to rediscover the freedoms of creative risk-taking. The film is rated R for some language, runs 105 minutes, and has been given three out of four stars by critics.
