Cast: Martin LaSalle, Marika Green, Jean Pélégri, Kassagi
Director: Robert Bresson
Rating:
Enetertainment Quotient: 40%
Genre: Crime
Running time: 75 minutes
MPAA rating: NA
Language: French
Color: Black & White

Synopsis:
Michal (Martin LaSalle) is a compulsive pickpocket. He meets Kassagi who teaches him the tricks of the trade. Michal keeps on at it though there are opportunities for him to mend his ways. He has a crush on his neighbour. His friend and the cop are sympathetic and friendly with him thought they know about his antics. In the end, he reforms by going to jail and winning the love of his neighbour.

What is special in the film?
The entire film is done in a self-narrative style. Stealing is an art. The art of pickpocketing is shown in minute detail. The scene in which pickpockets gang up together to steal the valuables in a train is outstanding. The director also showed the emotional struggle and inner conflict of an intelligent pickpocket. I am also impressed by the way the director gathered intricate details while narrating the film. Martin LaSalle’s performance as the pickpocket is very subtle.

What I did not like much in the film?
The timeline in the narration is inconsistent. Sometimes the director goes into intricate details of such scenes and sometimes, he skips the film by years. However, we cannot expect a French film made in 1959 to cater to our tastes.

Similar films: Bicycle Thief, Catch Me If You Can, Crime and Punishment, Taxi Driver, American Gigolo

Tailpiece: Kassagi (a magician) worked as consultant for this film. He is responsible for showing pickpocketing techniques in the film in a lucid manner. The best thing in these pickpockets is that they steal purses, watches, bags etc by standing in front of you and looking deep into your eyes. Check out the magic show of Kassagi in the special features of the DVD. It is very entertaining.