I guess it's a bit of both. It's definitely a nod to film noir and American B-movies (it was dedicated to the B-movie studio Monogram Pictures) But obviously Godard was equally interested in breaking rules and traditions.
I'd understand if you simply don't like A bout de souffle, but a sorry movie? Many say it's overrated, but I think they fail to understand just how revolutionary it was and how many films/directors it influenced.
And it has Jean Seberg :heart: