Pickpocket (1959)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Robert Bresson

Writer:

Robert Bresson (writer)

Release Date:

December 1959 (France)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

Michel is released from jail after serving a sentence for thievery. His mother dies and he resorts to pickpocketing as a means of survival.

Plot Keywords:

Jail | Friend | Suspicion | Disobedience | Church

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Martin LaSalle	...	Michel (as Martin La Salle)
Marika Green	...	Jeanne
Jean Pélégri	...	L'inspecteur principal
Dolly Scal	...	La mère
Pierre Leymarie	...	Jacques
Kassagi	...	1er complice
Pierre Étaix	...	2ème complice
César Gattegno	...	Un inspecteur

Also Known As:

Incertitude (France) (working title)

Runtime:

75 min | Argentina:79 min | Finland:77 min (1965)

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 (1965) | Singapore:PG | Argentina:16 | Finland:(Banned) (1960)

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Company:

Compagnie Cinématographique de France

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Les modèles de 'Pickpocket' (2005) (V)

Soundtrack:

Suite de symphonies d'Amadis (selection)

The Fall and Redemption of a Pickpocket

In Paris, the lonely and anguished pickpocket Michel (Martin La Salle) lives in a dirty little room and spends his time stealing wallets and purses in public spaces. His only friends are Jacques (Pierre Leymarie), who tries to help him to find a job, and his mother's next door neighbor Jeanne (Marika Green). After the death of his mother, Michel teams-up with two smalltime thieves despite the permanent surveillance of the local police inspector (Jean Pélégri). Later he travels overseas to get rid of the observation of the police, but two years later he returns to Paris and finds Jeanne alone, with her son with Jacques after a brief love affair. Michel decides to help her and find an honest job; but in a horse race, he is tempted by his addiction with tragic consequences.

This is the first time that I have watched"Pickpocket" and I expected much more from this famous movie. The development of the lead character Michel is confused and it is clear that he is a troubled, lonely and anguished unemployed young man, but it is never clear the motives why he is addicted in stealing since he shows no ambition or dream or love. The beauty of Marika Green is impressive and she seems to love Michel since the very beginning but again her feelings are never clear. Indeed the actors and actress express no sentiments and the plot is very weird. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Pickpocket"