In October 2025, renowned filmmaker Richard Linklater presented us with two films about unconventional artists, both of which explore how style can intersect with substance. Nouvelle Vague, his film about the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless, is shot in the style of the French New Wave. Blue Moon, which tells the story of lyricist Lorenz Hart, is a chamber piece that unfolds with the intimacy of live theater. However, despite being released in the same month, the two works could not be more different. Nouvelle Vague embodies the energy and spirit of the French New Wave, paying tribute to the filmmakers who defined the movement. In contrast, Blue Moon is more restrained and introspective, a poignant character study that examines themes of art, success, fame, sexuality, legacy, and loneliness.

Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut Eleanor the Great is equal parts heart-wrenching and heartwarming. On paper, Tory Kamen’s script might seem like a tough sell. The premise alone could raise eyebrows or even appall some viewers, but it is handled with remarkable sensitivity and sincerity. Thanks to Johansson’s gentle direction and June Squibb’s multifaceted performance, the story comes to life in a way that feels surprisingly sincere, unexpectedly funny, and deeply emotional.