Pickpocket (1959) by Robert Bresson — Movie Discussion

This incomparable story of crime and redemption from the French master Robert Bresson follows Michel, a young pickpocket who spends his days working the streets, subway cars, and train stations of Paris. As his compulsive pursuit of the thrill of stealing grows, however, so does his fear that his luck is about to run out. A cornerstone of the career of this most economical and profoundly spiritual of filmmakers, Pickpocket is an elegantly crafted, tautly choreographed study of humanity in all its mischief and grace.

"Pickpocket remains one of the clearest examples of Bresson's minimalism evoking rich character and moral insights." (Slant)

"This concentrated, elliptical, economical movie is an experience that never loses its strangeness." (Village Voice)

"Bresson's Michel, like Dostoyevsky's hero Raskolnikov, needs money in order to realize his dreams, and sees no reason why some lackluster ordinary person should not be forced to supply it. The reasoning is immoral, but the characters claim special privileges above and beyond common morality." (Roger Ebert)

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Let's discuss the movie Pickpocket (1959) by Robert Bresson, recently voted the 136th greatest movie of all time in Sight & Sound's international survey of film critics and experts. The movie also ranked the 99th greatest of all time in the related poll of filmmakers.

We also previously discussed Bresson's A Man Escaped (1956) and Au Hasard Balthazar (1966) in this group.

Please watch the movie in advance.

You can stream it here (turn on subtitles through the video player settings) or rent it on various platforms online (for best quality.)

A trailer.

Check out other film discussions in the group every Friday and occasionally other days.