Pickpocket 1959
"To reach you at last, what a strange path I had to take."
Robert Bresson's *Pickpocket (1959)* is a stark, meditative crime drama that strips away the glamour of heist films to expose the raw psychology behind theft.
Director: Robert Bresson
Cast
Martin LaSalle
Michel
Marika Green
Jeanne
Jean Pélégri
Lead Inspector
Dolly Scal
The Mother
Pierre Leymarie
Jacques
Kassagi
1st Accomplice
Pierre Étaix
2nd Accomplice
César Gattegno
Inspector
Sophie Saint-Just
(uncredited)
Dominique Zardi
Subway Passenger (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pickpocket (1959) about?
Pickpocket follows Michel, a Parisian drifter who turns to petty theft as both a rebellion and an existential test before spiraling into a life of crime. Haunted by his mother's death and the scrutiny of those who care about him, Michel's choices lead to a tense confrontation with the law and his own conscience.
Who directed Pickpocket?
Robert Bresson directed *Pickpocket*. Known for his austere, philosophical approach to cinema, Bresson crafted some of the most influential films of the French New Wave, with *Pickpocket* standing as a cornerstone of his minimalist style.
Who stars in Pickpocket?
Martin LaSalle leads the cast as Michel, joined by Marika Green as Jeanne, Jean Pélégri as his friend Jacques, and Kassagi, a real-life pickpocket who lends authenticity to the film's underworld scenes.
Is Pickpocket (1959) worth watching?
*Pickpocket* is a must-watch for fans of slow-burn, thought-provoking cinema. Its unflinching portrayal of moral decay and sparse, poetic dialogue offer a unique cinematic experience that transcends its crime genre roots. While not action-packed, its power lies in Bresson's uncompromising vision.
How long is Pickpocket?
Pickpocket runs for 75 minutes (1 hour 15 minutes).
🎥 Trailer
About Pickpocket (1959) — Robert Bresson's masterpiece of crime and redemption
Robert Bresson's *Pickpocket (1959)* is a stark, meditative crime drama that strips away the glamour of heist films to expose the raw psychology behind theft. Set in the shadowy streets of Paris, the story follows Michel, a disillusioned young man who drifts into pickpocketing almost as a philosophical experiment. His arrest forces him into a hollow freedom, compounded by the loss of his mother and the disapproving gaze of his only friend, Jacques, and the compassionate Jeanne. As Michel hones his criminal skills with reckless abandon, he finds himself entangled in a cat-and-mouse game with a relentless police inspector, while teetering on the edge of redemption—or deeper despair.
Bresson's minimalist style and hypnotic pacing transform *Pickpocket* into a profound exploration of morality, alienation, and the search for meaning. Martin LaSalle delivers a quietly haunting performance as Michel, embodying the character's emotional detachment and eventual reckoning with his choices. The film's subdued atmosphere, punctuated by moments of unexpected tenderness, lingers long after the credits roll.
