Review of Pickpocket (1959) by Kok F — 11 Nov 2009

Bresson challenges and deconstructs the flamboyance and extravagance of theatrical performance with his raw, minimalist acting takes that leaves more room for cinema-goers to capture the nuance of the action itself and the quiet grace of the story, characters and theme overall. This in part a response to the review below, with its minor concern of "wooden acting". Pickpocket is not a film that expects to court us or win us over like brothel-pimps with dazzling acting flairs and fantastic gimmicks to make us breathe in awe over a masterpiece. It seeks to make us more attuned to the cinema as a mode of expression, distinct from the theatre.

Judging from this film, Robert Bresson's reputation as one of the original greats is clearly not exaggerated.