Pickpocket (Robert Bresson, 1959): France

Reviewed by Andres Cruz. Viewed at the AFI Fest 2013.

This Robert Bresson’s classic makes you be more aware of your pockets and also watch closer to the people around you. It is a film worth seeing because it keeps you entertained during its whole screening. The way that Michel (Martin LaSalle) develops his ability to steal wallets and money is amazing. He exercises his fingers by practicing in his house, with watches tied to the table’s legs and hidden wallets in coats.

Pickpocket was selected by the guest artistic director at the AFI Film Festival, Agnes Varda. This film and some others films like “The Marriage of Maria Braun” were selected by her, and are films that inspired her and influenced her through her career as a filmmaker. Agnes Varda has been called the mother and the grandmother of the French new wave movement. She is well recognized by her classics “La Pointe Courte” (1955) and “Cleo From 5 to 7” (1962).

Michel is released from jail after serving a sentence for thievery. But his lonely life is shaded after his mother death, so Michel is forced to come back to his criminal life and try to survive by stealing wallets and expensive watches from other people. After steal personal belongings from other people for a period of time, Michel develops an extraordinary and effective skills to steal wallets and watches. But maybe this ability doesn’t last for so long.

The close-ups on Michel’s hands when he is stealing the wallets are very important for the development of the film so it gives us the sense of danger and also it gives us an excellent point of view in Michel’s ability. Although, the acting of the characters are very predictable and in some parts the dialogue is to dry with a lack of flow and rhythm.

Director Robert Bresson is also well known by his classical films “A man Escaped” (1956), and “Mouchette” (1967). These black and white films are recognized by the pacing and rhythm of the editing. It gives you time in each shot and each scene for the audience to think.

“Pickpocket” is a good peace of art that helps to preserve the old cinema, and also to keep the name of the pioneers of cinema and serve as an influence to new filmmakers. This film it is definitely worth seeing for people who loves art.