This unusual black-and-white art-house film has no clearly defined story-line or much action; people who require those elements in a film may be disappointed. Yet, I found 'Nocturnes' a rewarding viewing experience and can recommend it to open-minded viewers looking for something different.
We are introduced to several titled, dreamlike vignettes, taking us through a few months in the life of a French family during the late 1950s and early 1960s, as seen through the eyes of their young son. The young boy is curious and marvels at the world and its wonders, but also experiences uncertainty and even unhappiness at times.
The first vignette, 'Baby Moon', refers to the wonder of the first successful satellite or Sputnik, launched by the USSR, and the awe with which it filled the locals. Yet, the boy also experiences his first traumatic experience with the passing away of his great-grandmother. Furthermore, in the background on the radio we hear about the fighting in Algeria. In the next impressionistic vignette 'Why?' our young protagonist enjoys the Bastille Day fireworks on the beach and inspects the carcass of a beached whale. In 'But Why?' the lad and other townsfolk marvel at a solar eclipse, whilst in 'Decision' we get some idea of the personal life of the family; the boy's father is not happy in his work, and it is suggested they are considering to move, perhaps even to another country such as Canada. In 'Goodbye' and 'Another Country' we discover that they had indeed moved, but to Algeria where his father would work as a medic for the military. But would that be an improvement, and how would that affect our inquisitive protagonist?
This film boasts some of the most exquisitely beautiful black-and-white cinematography I have ever seen in any movie, and that alone makes it worth watching. Particularly the nocturnal scenes are works of art, and, I suspect, this may at least partially explain the title of the film. The musical term 'nocturne', referring to piano music, often evocative of the night and written in a melancholy style, with an expressive melody with broken-chord accompaniment, may also very well, and fittingly, have played a role in deciding on a title for the film. The soundtrack, in perfect harmony with the visuals, is hauntingly beautiful. I score this enchanting work of cinematic art a very good 7.5/10.
