This year's Cannes Film Festival showcased various films that examined its history, notably Richard Linklater's "Nouvelle Vague (New Wave)," a tribute to Jean-Luc Godard. Shot in black-and-white, the film captures Godard's artistic evolution and spontaneity, ultimately reflecting the New Wave movement he significantly influenced. While avoiding an overly explanatory approach, Linklater crafts a nimble and engaging portrait of Godard, even if the traditional filmmaking style may not align with Godard's avant-garde vision. The film opens with Godard's early discussions with fellow filmmakers, highlighting the intense pressure of redefining cinema at the time.
Linklater mostly avoids the trap of 'art explainer' movies by staying remarkably spry, reveling in Godard's spontaneity and casual approach, one that often led to hours of sitting around in cafes until the mood struck him to shoot.
There’s something inherently conflicting about making a movie about form-breaking that doesn’t break form at all itself—Godard almost certainly would have hated the traditional nature of this flick—but that will only keep the most devoted acolytes of the master from enjoying this clever profile of his genius.
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