Pickpocket

Michel stumbles into pickpocketing on a dare and discovers a strange, precise way of moving through crowds. After a brief arrest, his mother dies soon after his release, leaving him with a lonely, wary circle and a sense that luck and risk go hand in hand. Despite his friend Jacques' warnings and Jeanne's quiet concern, he gravitates toward a small crew of petty thieves who promise to show him the tricks of the trade. A cautious police inspector shadows his every move, turning routine street work into a tense cat-and-mouse game. Michel tries to go straight, taking odd jobs and keeping his hands busy, but the lure of theft continually gnaws at him. Its restraint makes routine street scenes tense.

Released in 1959, Pickpocket was directed by Robert Bresson and built from an original screenplay. The film stars Martin LaSalle as Michel with Marika Green, Jean Pélégri, Dolly Scal, and Pierre Leymarie in supporting roles, mirroring Bresson's restrained style throughout.

Renowned for its austere realism and minimalist approach, Pickpocket relies on non-professional actors, tight close ups, and sparing dialogue to examine moral restraint. The film's focus on technique and self control influenced later crime dramas and filmmakers seeking formal clarity. Its stark pacing and austere style inspired later European cinema.

Critics emphasize the film's austere mood and moral questions. It probes free will against social circumstance, the appeal of quick gain, and the price exacted by a life lived on the edge of legality. The quiet, disciplined storytelling makes the story feel inevitable rather than sensational for many viewers today.

Box office figures for Pickpocket are not included in the available data, and the film's earnings are not widely documented. Its reputation rests with critics and cinephiles rather than blockbuster numbers. The film has endured through reissues and restored prints.