Pickpocket (1959)

7.5Not Rated75 minDirector: Robert Bresson

1959 French film by Robert Bresson

Pickpocket is a 1959 French film written and directed by Robert Bresson. It stars Martin LaSalle, in his feature film debut, in the title role, and features Marika Green, Pierre Leymarie, and Jean Pélégri in supporting roles. It features a pickpocket who is drawn to crime, despite the intercession of his family, his friends, and even an empathetic policeman.

The film is generally considered to be one of Bresson's greatest films. Along with A Gentle Woman and Four Nights of a Dreamer, it is one of three Bresson movies heavily influenced by the works of Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Bresson's favorite author. It combines elements of Crime and Punishment's Rodion Raskolnikov (who questions whether moral rules should apply to superior men) with a street-crime plot inspired by Samuel Fuller's film Pickup on South Street (1953).

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is Pickpocket about?
Pickpocket (1959) — Michel passes the time by picking pockets, careful to never be caught despite being watched by the police. His friend Jacques may suspect, while both men may have their eyes on Jeanne, the pretty neighbor of Michel's ailing mother.
Is Pickpocket based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is Pickpocket scary?
Content rating: Not Rated. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.