Wall

Bresson shoots the effects, not the causes; which may leave us out of the loop, but it's intentional to make us feel before understanding. this film presents a splendid portrait of alienation and revolt in a masterful manner. in the film's powerful conclusion, Michel finds his redemption. the revelation of his love finally saves him

Kamran

28Apr12

In that final moment — in that final scene — those two people are finally connected, as if by a spiritual necessity. As the music appears, a sense of transcendentalism is felt. In what is now one of my favourite final scenes of a film, Bresson’s technical and ascetic film nature gives rise to spiritual and transcendental release. Freedom is b. Read More: http://aestheticsofthemind.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/pickpocket/

Ally Best

26Apr12

Perfect film.

trolley freak

18Apr12

In the fifth of a brief thirteen film career Bresson's minimalist style is in evidence again in a story that has been said by some critics to be essentially an adaptation of Dostoyevsky's Crime And Punishment. The pickpocket in question certainly commits several crimes and is eventually punished but there is also redemption of sorts as he comes to realise his love for the woman who stands by him after his arrest...

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Rahul

1Apr12

Populated by non-actors ("models" or "interpreters" of the auteur) coaxed in the usual Bressonian fashion to not act, with characters that do not smile and only barely emote, Pickpocket is an anti-film film that evokes a startled attention from the viewer without crass manipulation. In the end, the guy gets the girl, but this must be the most austerely beautiful, spiritual trek towards that conclusion in film.

N. C.

21Feb12

Maybe I'll rewatch it, the first time I saw I didn't like it.

Daniela

19Feb12

Super rewarding for the cinephile to watch. This was my first Bresson! I want to say something cheesy, like he "stole my heart," but instead I'll say the detective looked like Orson Welles/Citizen Kane and Jeanne looked like Natalie Portman . . o.o.;;

S. Polónio

19Mar12

They did! Especially Jeanne/Natalie Portman.

Daniel Montiel

14Feb12

I had problems with some parts of the performances; i didn't thought they were bad just so awkwardly out of fashion at moments. But the film still had my complete emotional investment, it is stunningly well told (That montage at the train station, fuck!) and while i dont' think i fully got all it's meaning on my first viewing I can't stop thinking about it and its main character.

orsonmotherfuckerwelles

27Jan12

watch crime and punishment (1935) by josef von sternberg and then tell me which of these two films is the masterpiece. Les Anges du Peché and Les Dames du Bois de Bologne are far better pictures than Pickpocket. The "bressonian" atmosphere is achieved, but the actors are terrible, the script is vulgar and everything else from direction to editing is just not interesting. in my opinion, a very overrated picture

Greg S.

21Jan12

Watching Bresson's film for the second time with Schrader's intro made the film even more sublime. Another post mentioned how weak the lead actor was and I disagree especially understanding the emphasis on humanity at its most subdued being synonymous with loss of identity or confusion. The whole film is an uphill battle amongst absurdity that finale's state of redemption takes on a spiritual quality. Masterpiece.

Mugino and Johnny Mo like this

Johnny Mo

20Jan12

This movie probably has the worst leading actor of history.

Stephane Tanaka likes this

DT

24Jan12

Nah, that's just how Bresson deals with his actors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bresson#Themes). Try Stephen Lack in Cronenberg's Scanners.
Johnny Mo

24Jan12

I've watched a bunch of Bresson's movies actually and it didn't seem to like he is just expressionless or gestureless, but may be I'm wrong. Will try Scanners, thank you.
DT

24Jan12

Au hasard Balthazar? L'argent? I dunno, it's been a while since I've seen any of them either. Anyway, try not to giggle during Lack's performance...I dare you. ;)
Alex

8Feb12

The devil probably is the worst of all time. L'argent and Balthazar are not that bad, and don't to tell the truth, don't really need a lot of the actors, especially Balthazar.

Stephen Campbell

20Dec11

As the title cards point out this is not a thriller ,more an examination of a human weakness and its a brilliant powerful film

Luka

27Oct11

The use of the wails and cries of the metro train as music which underscores the tension during the steal drags us into the overcrowded, claustrophobic and suffocating carriage. A method Coppola alludes to in The Godfather, great stuff.

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shaun morrison

24Oct11

Very good i loved the ending and also the scene with all the thieves getting on the train the camara work is amazing

InsertOzuReferencehere

6Sep11

The poetry of stealing ... A typically expert formation of sound and visuals by Bresson. I watched this again after almost four years and like many other Bresson films you see the genius clearer and clearer after every viewing. Most film makers inconsistently use a cinematic experience to tell stories, Bresson uses stories to create a pure cinematic experience. Cinema is not his tool it is his product.

InsertOzuReferencehere

6Sep11

The poetry of stealing ... A typically expert formation of sound and visuals by Bresson. I watched this again after almost four years and like many other Bresson films you see the genius clearer and clearer after every viewing. Most film makers inconsistently use a cinematic experience to tell stories, Bresson uses stories to create a pure cinematic experience. Cinema is not his tool it is his product.

Nelson

4Jul11

I never had experienced a film before.

Daniela and 2 others like this

MarcusArcus, Llawrence

Adrian Mendoza

30May11

i guess the script is down on the floor that's why they always look down :D

Dave

22May11

Much of the intellectual deepness of this one is apparently lost on me.

Langston Young likes this

WhatsUpWill

16May11

Thrilling, cool, stylish. And at the same time, moving and devastating.

DT likes this

Colin Landon

6May11

Films from France and Italy in the 1950's and early 60's have a lot of classics in a long list, but its the status of everyday life that they captured that fascinates me. In Pickpocket, we see how the general public dressed, acted in public and interacted with each other, and wee see the difference in society from 60 years ago to today. Great film too if you want to learn how guard against pickpocketing.

Clayton Godby

22Jan11

This feels like a script that could have been successful as an American production. The use of beautiful people who can't act even feels American. The story is interesting and strong, but this is certainly not one of Bresson's best.

N. C.

21Dec10

I agree with EDY.

Eddiepodoolski

2Dec10

good movie but... very unnatural representation of the actors... just for being black and white?! I i don´t think so, 5 stars is too much.

NealEdelstein

24Nov10

There are sequences in this film which define the pure brilliance of editing.

Daniela likes this

Gabriel Argüello

26Oct10

Besides the horrible acting of the principal character who delivered a line and looked down to the groung every freeking time (I know it was Bresson style to use non professional actors and do stuff like this but it worked on other of his films, in this case I didn't like that's all) well besides that, it's a good and interesting film.