12/01/06 Pickpocket

Pickpocket (1959), directed by Robert Bresson

watched solo; theater (NC Museum of Art, Raleigh, NC); French Cinema Classics Film Series

Now for some culture. Some artistic culture...involving experimental French cinema, major art museum exhibitions, and some deep inner-monologues within my own brain. Yes, I went off to experience this work of art alone, to collect my thoughts in a room full of arsty fartsy types. With much pomp and circumstance, critics and fans alike were discussing the merits of this stylized brand of cinema on culture and how indelible a mark it may have left...I slipped into the back row (almost as if I was sneaking into a boring college lecture hall in order to only doze off the moment the lights were dimmed). Alas, to what do my wondering eyes see? A beautifully crafted film of simplicity and intrigue, black and white, with little to no dialogue throughout. What is on display here is mostly an appreciation of an artform...and I'm not speaking of the cinematics. Filmmaker Bresson puts on display a quasi-documentary style film, where he gives an artist's appreciative eye to the deftly maneuvering hands of some real-life pickpockets. Yup, all this art for the sake of thievery. Well, you say that most art created these days is thievery anyway huh? It's not like most songs are samplings of older more creative lyrical ditties. It's not as if most movies are nothing more than sad remakes of previously un-clever films based upon semi-best-selling books. It's art imitating life imitating art...I think. In any regard, Bresson shows a very intriguing take on the "art" of pickpocketing, with sleight of hand, body language and observant eyes that speak both to the thieves as well as the filmmaker. It's a very clever and straightforward approach to filmmaking, but utterly brilliant in the framing of the painting. The movie is intoxicating in a very subdued & hypnotic way, as the main character plays a thief who's served his time & wants to try to get out of the immoral game. It's a conflict between the ability to make good decisions as well as appreciate the craft of stealing. Ahhh, you gotta love art. Or hate it. Do what you want.

4 out of 5 stars