Jeanne = Marie? Michel = Raskolnikov?

Pickpocket

There is a part of Bresson which really bores me. Just listening to the tone of how people talk in the film makes me bored; there is some strange monotonicity in the French they are speaking here. Bresson’s films feel strangely cold to me, as if they are all exercises in style (with the exception of “Au hazard Balthasar” where the only one inducing human feelings happens to be Balthasar, a donkey); they are like very well-written études for virtuoso pianists.

Some of the elements of the film are great, especially the theme reminiscent of “Crime and Punishment” is presented in quite a lovely way. I like how Bresson claims his protagonist’s ideas as “not new”, because this is precisely what they are – the conflict between individual morals and collective morals is old as humanity, and Michel is too much like Raskolnikov to be original – he’s just less crazy. Even Jeanne fills the role of Sonya almost perfectly. But lack of originality is not a problem here, for the theme has lots to offer to the filmmaker, and Michel’s views and actions are different from Raskolnikov’s. I do enjoy the cinematography, especially those montage scenes in which the main character steals with the help of his friends. Here’s where Bresson shows some visual beauty.

One intriguing aspect about both this film and “Au hasard Balthasar” is that the female character (completely missing in “Un condemné à mort”) chooses to not marry a man she feels like she does not love enough. That is so strange for a French filmmaker; even though Bresson portrays these seemingly weak, good-natured women, they are strong when it comes to major decisions. Isn’t that the strangest thing?

I know that I definitely will want to watch “Diary of a Country Priest” and “Mouchette”, but there is almost no director who I feel so torn about as Bresson. Are his movies just pretentious and boring? Or are they spiritual, beautiful and interesting? “Un condemné à mort” was suspenseful, “Pickpocket” has a great premise and “Balthasar” the most awesome film character of all times, Balthasar. Maybe a rewatch will tell, someday.