Nouvelle Vague, or New Wave, was a movement in the French film industry between the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Among its chief practitioners were contributors to the 'Cahiers du cinema' magazine, who were critical of what they believed was their nation’s stagnating film industry. Rebelling against the big budget literary adaptations and costume dramas that prevailed since World War II, filmmakers embraced the limitations imposed by a lack of finances, using innovative filming techniques and narrative compositions. In his weighty tome 'The Story of Cinema', esteemed film writer David Shipman attributes Jean-Luc Godard’s A Bout de Souffle (Breathless) as “the last crest of the nouvelle vague”.

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After attending the Cannes premier of Truffaut’s Les quatre cents coups (The 400 Blows), Godard laments the fact that he is the last of his cinephile cohort to direct a feature film. Presented with a story outline by Truffaut about a minor criminal and his American girlfriend, Godard sets about making the film that he has been preparing for in his head for years. To the dismay of cast and crew, that’s where the details of his film remain until just before shooting commences each day.

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The French New Wave has often been described as ‘cinema made by cinephiles for cinephiles”, and the same is true for the film that bears its name. Though ostensibly about the filming of A Bout de Souffle, Nouvelle Vague is director Richard Linklater’s love letter to the New Wave movement.  Filmed in black and white with a 1.37:1 aspect ratio, Linklater even inserts cue marks for a non-existent reel swap.  His tribute extends to other New Wave figures being fleetingly represented by uncredited actors and title cards.  

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Thankfully, Linklater’s meticulous homage avoids the pitfall of becoming another one of his clinical exercises. In its depiction of A Bout de Souffle’s seemingly haphazard production, Nouvelle Vague manages to capture the spontaneity Godard so ardently sought. Any encroachment of sterility is repeatedly repelled by Zoey Deutch’s delightful performance as Jean Seberg.