Richard Linklater’s new film, Nouvelle Vague, brings an inventive twist to the biopic genre by focusing on the bold beginnings of Jean-Luc Godard and the iconic French New Wave, delivering a vibrant portrait rather than a straightforward history. Released with a limited theatrical run by Netflix, this Richard Linklater Nouvelle Vague biopic immerses viewers in the artistic spirit of a revolutionary era, targeting cinephiles and devoted film enthusiasts.
Linklater’s Original Approach to Biographical Storytelling
Opting for a black-and-white film about the creation of a French New Wave masterpiece like Breathless, Richard Linklater embraces niche subject matter that often lacks mass appeal. Netflix’s decision to back this project with significant resources, despite its limited commercial viability, signals the platform’s willingness to support unique visions. For film buffs, Nouvelle Vague stands as a treat, delving deep into a defining cultural moment and capturing the originality that Jean-Luc Godard and his peers brought to cinema.
Linklater approaches the biopic genre differently, avoiding the pitfalls common to so many films of this type. Rather than unfolding as a timeline that tracks every beat in Godard’s life or every stage in the production of Breathless, the film thrives as a relaxed ensemble story reminiscent of his earlier works like Dazed and Confused and Everybody Wants Some!!. This method sidesteps the formulaic trap of cramming a person’s lifetime into a couple of hours and instead creates an environment where the audience mingles with legendary figures. In doing so, Linklater transforms the subjects into vivid characters rather than mere historical figures.
Capturing a Moment in Godard’s Creative Rise
Within the slate of Linklater’s 2025 releases, Nouvelle Vague pairs with Blue Moon for an exploration of artists at opposing stages in their careers. Nouvelle Vague zooms in on the energetic ascent of a young Godard, contrasting with Blue Moon’s reflective farewell to lyricist Lorenz Hart’s life. Notably, Linklater’s storytelling often tracks change and maturation over time, as seen in the twelve-year project Boyhood or the evolving romance of the Before trilogy. However, in this film, he narrows in on a singular phase, offering audiences just a glimpse of Godard as a critic for Cahiers du cinéma before he becomes a lasting influence on generations of filmmakers.
This focused narrative rejects the common convention of tracing a subject’s full journey from cradle to grave, resisting the temptation to continually hint at Godard’s future work such as Vivre sa vie or Contempt. This approach brings clarity and energy to the film, preventing the dramatic inertia that often defines biopics. Other recent entries in the genre, such as Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere starring Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen, have grappled with how to balance specificity with broad storytelling, sometimes resorting to a Wikipedia-style summary. Nouvelle Vague, by contrast, finds strength in its constraints and never loses sight of its chosen time and place.
Infusing the French New Wave’s Spirit Into the Biopic
Linklater’s depiction of Godard avoids tracking the director’s entire life history, focusing instead on the liveliness and restless creativity that defined the early days of the French New Wave. Biopics often drain their subject’s vibrancy by dwelling on periods of struggle or decline, but Nouvelle Vague maintains an upbeat tone throughout. The film emphasizes the much-loved aspects of Godard’s work, particularly his friendship and collaboration with François Truffaut and other critics-turned-filmmakers, as they challenge each other and dream up new kinds of cinema on the streets of Paris.
Though Nouvelle Vague’s subject matter and French-language dialogue might initially appear cerebral, Linklater’s choices ground the story as a character-driven ensemble comedy. This social and tactile atmosphere links the creative spirit of Godard and his contemporaries to the youthful energy found in Linklater’s earlier films. The characters, including Godard and Jean Seberg, portrayed by Guillaume Marbeck and Zoey Deutch, echo the camaraderie and spontaneous conversations of teenagers in Dazed and Confused, as they wander Paris and debate film theory or their shared admiration for Hollywood noir.
“The best thing you could say about Nouvelle Vague is that you don’t have to be educated in the world of French cinema to enjoy the film.”
— Audience Member
Broadening the Biopic’s Appeal Through Character and Context
For both seasoned cinephiles and newcomers, Nouvelle Vague draws audiences into its world without demanding extensive background knowledge. Viewers who know Breathless inside and out will appreciate the authenticity, while others will relate to the film’s portrayal of Godard as an underdog pursuing a dream. Linklater’s refusal to weigh the film down with historical exposition lets the story breathe, ensuring the Godard character becomes both accessible and compelling.
The film highlights the limitations of conventional biopics, particularly those centered on musicians and artists, which often let the narrative devolve into rote reenactment for commercial aims. As the story unfolds, it resists the urge to cover every notable event from Godard’s life, choosing instead to interpret his journey through a distinctive perspective that honors his impact without becoming a checklist of his achievements.
Nouvelle Vague’s Place in Linklater’s Oeuvre and Streaming Availability
Nouvelle Vague stands out as a testament to Richard Linklater’s imaginative storytelling, combining his affection for ensemble-driven narratives with keen historical insight. The film’s unique stance within the biopic genre hints at new possibilities for how artists’ lives can be portrayed on screen, emphasizing immersion over summary. With a talented cast including Guillaume Marbeck as Jean-Luc Godard and Zoey Deutch as Jean Seberg, the film deepens its engagement with the era’s personalities and artistic milieus.
As Nouvelle Vague debuts for streaming on Netflix in the U.S., it offers an inviting entry point for anyone interested in cinema history, artistic innovation, and the untold stories behind masterpieces. The film leaves audiences considering what can be achieved when filmmakers embrace the spirit of their subjects, allowing characters—not encyclopedic facts—to lead the narrative forward. By reimagining the biopic through the lens of Nouvelle Vague, Richard Linklater invites viewers to discover the vibrancy and revolution at the heart of French cinema’s golden age.
