The Pleasure of Being Robbed (2008)

Director:

Joshua Safdie

Writers:

Eleonore Hendricks (co-screenplay)
Joshua Safdie (story)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

A curious and lost Eleonore looks for something everywhere, even in the bags of strangers who find themselves sadly smiling only well after she's left their lives. They owe her their thanks. |

Cast

Batman	...	Hello Beautiful / Handsome
Alex Billig	...	Trumpet Player
Wayne Chin	...	Wayne
Jerry Damons	...	Jerry The Cop
Lowell the Dog	...	Lowell
John Dwyer	...	Drinks For Everybody
The Fly	...	Fly
Dawn Glickman	...	Dawn
Alex Greenblatt	...	Son
Gary Greenblatt	...	Father
Eleonore Hendricks	...	Eléonore
Francesca LaPrelle	...	Mom
Miranda LaPrelle	...	Daughter
Astrid Larson	...	Astrid
Sam Lisenco
Van Neistat	...	Animal Harraser
Eloy Ortega	...	Flower / Fruit Stand Attendant
Charlotte Pinson	...	Girlfriend
Joshua Safdie	...	Josh
Ariel Schulman	...	Boyfriend
Andy Spade	...	Andy
Bea Spade	...	Andy's Daughter Bea
Henry Tejada	...	Henry the Doorman
Calvin Wilson	...	TA Cashier
Jordan Zaldez	...	Jordan The Cop

Runtime:

USA:71 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Red Bucket Films

A different reading. Actual pleasure.

I saw this film at Cannes twice and I can't seem to either get away from it or get it out of my mind. I keep thinking about the surface nature of the main character Eleonore in the beginning and throughout. But what is crazy is she knows it.

It is not that she is annoying. I Think it is sad to see someone hide their true emotions. She smiles and you wonder why is she smiling, It is uncomfortable to be in the room. These are negative qualities and that is why they are on film (and yes beautiful 16 mm, finally!). They are just an exaggerated type of personality that forces us to see what we all sometimes fall victim too, too big a self-conscience.

She is a great thief, but she is not really stealing. She just wants to learn more about people because she is afraid, or unwilling, to say hello in a genuine way.

At times I didn't like her but so what? Film is not about feeling comfortable, it is about thinking about how you can change parts of yourself. When I didn't like her or what she is doing, I asked myself why? And that is what I liked. I liked also seeing the other people in New york who don't have her problem. Heck, there is a guy walking around saying how beautiful everything is. And wait, here we see her wonder what that life might be like. Also, when she listens to the trumpet playing, I Thought how sad, she realizes her faults. Sometimes you can't change them (Having been in therapy I should know, haha).

Thanks for showing me the pains of holding back, and the beauty of letting it out.