A.K.A. Visages Villages, which is much more fun to say.
What a delightful little documentary. You wouldn't necessarily expect a travelogue featuring two slightly self-serious artists to be so endearing, but it works thanks to the fact that they both clearly care about the subjects they're capturing, and because they bring a likeable combination of styles to the table. Agnès Varda's warmth and curiosity pairs incredibly well with JR's larger-than-life projects, and they come together to generate a sweet and often poignant look at the importance of individuals, communities, and spaces.
The structure does occasionally get repetitive at times, but it's generally loose and diverse enough that I'd call it far from tedious. For instance, the movie could also be considered something of an autobiography, as we similarly get to learn a lot about our filmmakers - and not just as artists, but as people. Through this intimate process of collaboration, they can share stories with one another, discuss a wide range of philosophical topics, and build an adorable bond.
And even if some of the more emotional moments feel heavily manufactured, they're endearing and enriching enough that I can still enjoy them for what they are.
Grade: A
P.S. My expectations of Godard were pretty low, but goddamn.
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