User Reviews

Some excellent camera work, lighting and cinematography, and a score that works for the piece. it's a long film, and you'll need to be patient with the beginning before the pace and action kicks in. Found myself questioning what was going on in the beginning, but it pays off later on. Nice work from the leads. Director and cinematographer used lesser known locations in Toronto to build mood and tone and anchor the piece. Also some interesting angles and clever plot devices to keep the guessing going until the pieces come together. Great shots of Niagara Falls, and other city views, night shots. This is not a wham-bang action Hollywood movie, so be prepared to stick with it in the beginning for the payoff at the end--slow build with a satisfying finish.

(Seen at the Warsaw IFF)

There were bright sides of this film - some camera work, the lighting, the lead actress. But that's about it.

What the trailer is suggesting, and what's rather in line with some first 10 minutes of the film, is the low key, silent, fantasy / romance tale immersed in the city night. Unfortunately this mood changes quickly and similar changes accompany the audience from time to time throughout the rest of the movie. Don't get me wrong - those are NOT plot twists but constant changes of the thing the film is aiming at. Just as it was not clear for the makers themselves what kind of film they want to make and as they kept re-writing the script from time to time as the shooting progressed. A fairy tale? A family drama? A crime thriller? A comedy? This is my biggest complaint, I think. It's not a blend of the above styles, it's rather a mess.

The whole cast, except the lead actress, seemed as confused with the script as the audience were (and admitted during the Q&A), which made the emotions they expressed incomprehensible. Paradoxically it was quite consistent with the similarly odd actions the protagonists undertook. All this together made the audience chuckle a bit when the film was approaching its climax, accompanied with lots of music suggesting lots of tension that simply weren't there. Some chuckled, some walked out of the screening room.

During the Q&A session the director pointed out many details, different styles and some complex background he wanted to incorporate into the film. I think it might be one of these cases when the vision blinds the creator a bit and he confuses the thing he wished to create with the one that was the actual effect. Instead of achieving the desired work, the crew created something unwillingly amusing (I loved the close-up (!) of a front of a car with the FORD logo that was carelessly covered with something that looked like a packing tape, that was a good one).

It could have been OK, but it was killed by an amateurish script.

I am rarely mad at things that didnt affect me. But not this time. This film is pretentious af.

I saw this movie on the closing night of the Kansas International Film Festival. Having seen the trailer, I was intrigued by the imagery of what I saw and expected. I was not disappointed.

The basic premise is a mousy woman is working for a computer firm that monitors e-mails. One day she sketches a flower, and sees a co-worker make a paper flower very similar. She is intrigued, but every time she tries to talk to her co-worker, she is ignored.

As she watches his actions, she becomes curious to has actions and activities.

Thus begins an intriguing movie that held me through to the conclusion. The characters are real, even though they are in larger-that-life situations. The lead actress is great. The lead actor has a very difficult job, but is very believable.

The movie itself is quite creative. There are great moments where sound is key. Also, there are some very creative photography that is cleverly done.

The music is also of note. There are standout parts, but never did the music feel self-conscious or out of place.

I fully recommend this movie. It is probably going to be on the festival circuit for a while. If you have the opportunity to see it, you will have a great experience watching a movie about regular people in unusual situations.

I was fortunate enough to go to a screening of this movie. If you get a chance to see it I think you will be impressed. I left thinking about the plot and actors and going back over what they were telling me, not just while I was there. A great use of storytelling and cinematography with a mix better than most multi million movies. It's an independent movie that had me entertained from beginning to end. Try to see it if you can. It is probably going to be on the festival circuit for a while. but I really hope it gets a distributor that gets it to the general public as well.

I'm sure this is a first of many for Mr Pincus.

Saw this at the Athen International Film Fest and was completely blown away! I never saw anything like this before. What a brilliant concept - an insomniac falling for a sleepwalker.

The atmosphere that the film conveyed was contagious. Great characters, amazing script and real film music. Definitely a film for anyone who wants to get lost in a strangely inviting world, a captivating story and truly messed up characters.

While it did feel like it was mixing up the genres a bit - romantic comedy meets Hitchcock - it actually worked well that way. The nuances of Pincus' direction and editing allowed each aspect of these different genres to mix well. All of that mystery at the beginning and watching it slowly unfold really gave the film a great jump start!

Will definitely go again when/if it returns!!!

I just read on Facebook that they will be showing Nocturne again at the NJIFF on October 11. This is amazing news! I highly recommend that anyone who missed this terrific film when it was first shown there go and see it.

Just like David Lynch's 'Blue Velvet' took you on a journey through the underbelly of what was really going in amidst the manicured lawns of suburban America, Saul Pincus' 'Nocturne' will give you a peak at the unique characters that co-exist at night beneath the streetlights of our big cities. Particularly this insomniac Cindy and her beau Armen, the sleepwalker.

While night can be a quiet time, this film is anything but. Driven by a fantastic script of carefully crafted minimalism, this feature rings loud with true human conflict. These characters need each other so badly yet are so forced by their own inabilities to remain silent to each other. Director Pincus handles this scenario with great care and knows exactly when to give and take.

With great cinematography and outstanding music, this film resonates loud on many levels. All is all, a beautiful film that deserves to be seen!

I'm so excited! Weeks ago I saw this film and went back to Facebook to blab to my friends about how wonderful it was. It's been getting amazing reviews in the many international film festivals fortunate enough to show it. And now people in the GTA, Ontario, can see it too! Please lend your support to true Canadian talent and get out to see NOCTURNE in Toronto at the Canadian Film Festival (canfilmfest.ca). If you're like me, mere moments after leaving this film your senses will be gasping to be reignited, leaving you to blather on for days about the visually striking shots and rich soundtrack you hadn't realized had sucked you in.

I just discovered via Facebook that this wonderful film is returning to a screen here in Brunswick. It was clearly one of the great surprises from this year's NJIFF festival. While there were certainly some great films, "Nocturne" really stood out. Marked by great storytelling and clever craftsmanship, this film really took me on an unexpected journey.

Supported by a nuanced and deeply touching script, the unique story of these unique and characters really made a mark on me. Director Pincus is very adept at discovering and presenting the core and base emotions of these very complex personalities.

The cinematography and music was also a real stand-out. Beautifully scaled images, inventive animation sequences (another surprise) and a fully realized score gave this rich film even more healthy layers. While the movie did seem to play out just a bit too long, I highly recommend this film to anyone who has an opportunity to see it this October. It is a film that should not be missed. I really hope it gets it's chance with the wider audience it deserves!

I saw this film in Louisiana at a film festival. It was a beautiful piece of work. the look of the film was pretty stunning. beautifully shot. The storytelling and the main two actors performances were top notch. Mary Krohnert's performance was great.

Had a great vibe throughout and the fact that I really cared about the characters in such a strange story about a sleepwalker was quite an accomplishment. Its just a cool film with a very Indy feel to it which I loved. Pincus took a very original idea and made a pretty beautiful and believable world out of it with the help of some great performances.

I would definitely recommend.

From the opening shot to the final credits, I was truly taken on a cinematic journey that left me both emotionally drained and satisfied at the same time.

While this may have been an unconventional film, it was clearly directed and produced by a tremendous talent who has mastered the conventions. Director Saul Pincus and his incredible cast did exactly that - they cast a spell that drew me into a nocturnal world rich with ambiance, spirit and vivid images both dark and light.

The brilliant balance of sound and silence gave dignity to the sharp, deep and riveting screenplay that reverberated loudly in it's quiet, yet elegant way.

Cindy and Armen, two unique characters that I have personally never met in any film, felt more real, honest and desperate then some of the most well-known and beloved characters in cinematic history. Played to almost perfection, they take you by the hand into a dark world that one would expect to be frightful, but which, in their hands, feels warm and inviting.

I was thrilled to see it's roster of well-deserved awards this film has received. I truly hope that this radiant gem gets the celebration and exposure it deserves.

I saw the movie in Toronto. I am pretty sure it was the Canadian premiere. I watched the trailer and was intrigued by the mystery and the mood. It was quite a surprise. So many different genre elements combined together for a wonderful effect. Pincus is a bright new voice for Canadian cinema and I am curious to see what his next project could be. Based on this film it could be anything: Thriller, Animated, Comedy, Psychological Drama? Whatever he chooses to do, I am sure it will be just as intriguing. The music and cinematography were critical to the entrancing success. I loved how the shots and music changed as the movie slowly evolved from an art piece/character drama to a thriller. It happened so seamlessly. The acting was very good. Especially the female lead. Definitely worth catching when you can.

Like many others who attend film festivals, I was looking for a surprise…and boy did I ever find one! My girlfriend and I took a chance and decided to try out 'Nocturne' at the Jersey Int'l Film Fest. The premise intrigued me. And while I am not much of a movie buff, I really dug this one.

Yes it was a bit of a strange film for someone like me who usually likes the usual Hollywood fare, but it was a good kind of strange. I loved the female lead. She had a certain something that I felt I could connect with - something of a genuine kind of 'screwed-upness' that I could really relate to. I think what made this film so special to me is that it remained honest to that spirit all the way through. It didn't apologize for itself in trying to be a different type of movie.

I was so impressed with it that my girlfriend suggested I post a review. While this is not usually the type of thing I ever do, I feel that this unique film really deserves it. There has been so many boring and predictable Hollywood movies for the longest time that this was a true breath of fresh air. I really hope that this movie has a chance to get into the mainstream. If this review helps in any way, then I am glad to have been a part of it.

Nocturne is a stylish and engaging film. Director Saul Pincus has made the most of using visual storytelling for much of the film in a way that transports the viewer along the protagonist's journey. Dialogue is there when required but Pincus makes the daring choice to let the visuals and superb acting speak for themselves. The use of sound (and often its absence) and music add a wonderful dimension to the film. Everything in this movie is clearly thought out and executed with passion and attention to detail. The pacing of the film may not always be to everyone's liking but Nocturne does something most films these days don't do - make the viewer think. I'm very much looking forward to seeing more films from Saul Pincus.