Pickpocket

1959, Drama/Crime, 1h 15m

40 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

critics consensus

Narratively spare and told with clockwork precision, Pickpocket is a carefully observed character study that packs an emotional wallop. Read critic reviews

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Pickpocket Photos

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Movie Info

Michel (Martin La Salle) takes up pickpocketing on a lark and is arrested soon after. His mother dies shortly after his release, and despite the objections of his only friend, Jacques (Pierre Leymarie), and his mother's neighbor Jeanne (Marika Green), Michel teams up with a couple of petty thieves in order to improve his craft. With a police inspector (Jean Pélégri) keeping an eye on him, Michel also tries to get a straight job, but the temptation to steal is hard to resist.

Genre:

Drama, Crime
Original Language:

French (Canada)
Director:

Robert Bresson
Producer:

Agnès Delahaie
Writer:

Robert Bresson
Release Date (Theaters):

May 26, 1963 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Apr 1, 2014
Runtime:

1h 15m
Distributor:

New Yorker Films
Sound Mix:

Mono

Cast & Crew

Martin LaSalle
Michel

Marika Green
Jeanne

Pierre Leymarie
Jacques

Jean Pélégri
Chief Inspector

Dolly Scal
La mère

Kassagi
1er complice

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Pickpocket

All Critics (40) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (2)

Full Review… Eric Rhode Sight & Sound

Full Review… Richard Brody New Yorker

Full Review… TIME Magazine

Full Review… David Parkinson Empire Magazine

Full Review… Derek Malcolm Guardian

Full Review… Dave Kehr Chicago Reader

Full Review… Paul Schrader Los Angeles Free Press

Full Review… Shikhar Verma High on Films

Full Review… Tony McKibbin The List

Full Review… Tynan Yanaga Film Inquiry

Full Review… Eric Melin Lawrence.com

Full Review… Christopher Long Movie Metropolis

View All Critic Reviews (40)

Audience Reviews for Pickpocket

Apr 21, 2014

Bresson's unemotional style and wooden performances may not be accessible to everyone but it is impressive how he holds our interest in the many minutiae of the pickpocketing sleight of hand tricks, making them seem more like an art than a condemnable deed.

Carlos M Super Reviewer
Apr 19, 2013

Pickpocket is the glorious story of a pickpocket in the world inhabited by other grifters. It is a very memorable tale.

John B Super Reviewer
Apr 25, 2011

The appeal of "Pickpocket" is less about its story (the title is self-explanatory) and more about the deft economy of Robert Bresson's direction. Not a stroke is wasted. The depictions of intricate, tag-team pickpocket moves are especially sharp -- the eye can barely follow the action. "Pickpocket" has one glaring handicap: The untrained actors look strangely dazed throughout the film. This may be an intentional effect, but their stupor leaves little room for an emotional connection. Luckily, the movie is over so soon that it never has a chance to turn dull.

Eric B Super Reviewer
May 12, 2010

Pickpocket influenced Paul Schrader's film works "Taxi Driver", "American Gigolo", and "Light Sleeper". The story of a young man living as a lonely man pickpocketing ppls wallet for a living. He's living in guilt and a beautiful french woman seems to be his only salvation. Robert Bresson known as the Christian among filmmakers makes this gentle fascinating picture.

Brian R Super Reviewer