Review of Pickpocket (1959) by Ray D — 28 Jun 2016
The art of picking pockets. A story about luck, confidence, and becoming "professional" in one's occupation, whatever that may be. Upon working the subways as a small-time pocket picker, the protagonist meets his mentor and soon studies the tricks of the trade. This is an extraordinary film, depicting the criminal as an art form; an ordinary man with the same hopes and dreams as anyone else. The camerawork is masterfully shot, as various close-up shots of pocket watches, hands, and the pickpocketer's marks creates a documentary-like collage pertaining to the art of pick pocketing. The viewer is placed in the middle of the scene as though one is riding the crowded train along with the gang of thieves. The pickpocketing scenes are so perverse they are almost sexual. In a Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment-like fashion, the protagonist commits crimes in order to fill a spiritual void, and to hopefully realize his dreams-- those dreams which are momentarily devoid of any morality whatsoever, as the protagonist goes through a transformation,.
From the material to spiritual.
This review of Pickpocket (1959) was written by Ray D on 28 Jun 2016.
Pickpocket has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
