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Post by Anasazie on Jan 18, 2009 0:33:22 GMT
Agreed!
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Post by svsg on Sept 28, 2009 20:35:32 GMT
Pickpocket  Unimpressed. There was a long introduction to the film by Paul Schrader on the DVD, which I saw after the film. None of the points that he praised Bresson for, mattered to me. I have another of his film coming up. Let's see... |
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Post by quentincompson on Sept 29, 2009 7:32:01 GMT
Can you say more about what you thought of the film? Haven't watched the Schrader interview so I don't really know what you're talking about.
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Post by svsg on Sept 29, 2009 16:34:55 GMT
Can you say more about what you thought of the film? Haven't watched the Schrader interview so I don't really know what you're talking about. Schrader touched upon these points (among others): 1. The influence of this film on his career, especially thematic similarities with Taxi Driver. 2. Use of non-actors (whom apparently Bresson never casts ever again due to them getting camera-aware). 3. Non-modulated dialogue delivery, thereby creating unease in the viewer's mind. 4. Unusual editing, with extra frames in the scene that editors usually avoid, again creating uneasiness (or unexpected response) in the viewer. 5. The perversity (in an admiring tone) of all these unconventional techniques - i.e., using cinema for non-cinematic purposes. According to Schrader, cinema is not an ideal medium for stasis or introspection (apparently it is meant for movement). I can't recall more at this point. In any case, I did not care for all these innovations at all, as the film had next to zero impact on me. I would have appreciated all these things, had I connected with the movie. My personal view: I place a lot of emphasis on thematic elements - what is the director trying to say and how does the plot support all these notions... There was some obvious chemistry between Michel and Jeanne right from the beginning, but the plot of the film until the last five minutes doesn't lead to the last five minutes. I don't even know who this Jeanne character is - the character treatment is very shallow compared to that of Michel. And what is the central theme (or themes)? If as per the opening lines of the film, "the unusual path taken by Michel leading to the unexpected union of Michel and Jeanne" is the theme, then it is hardly convincing, as explained above. If the main theme is "lonely soul uneasy in the society", like what Schrader thinks, then the film would have benefited from professional actors who could have better externalized some of the internal conflicts. In dealing with the theme of compulsive behavior of a thief, it is somewhat interesting, especially the starting scenes and some of the internal monologues. However I found the idea of a cop having these idealogical discussions with Michel totally unbelievable. And what is with these depictions of French cops in several films, where they would be trying to help the criminal in a concerned/friendly/coercive manner to avoid a crime? As a final summary I must say that the film had no impact on me and I would hardly be thinking about it in the future, notwithstanding its merits listed by Schrader (don't know how representative of the collective opinion it is). |
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Post by quentincompson on Sept 30, 2009 3:54:30 GMT
I'm not sure that Schrader hit on some of the most important points then.
It's been a while but I see it is a long isolated individual crying out for human contact, though he's incapable of doing this in a direct way so he commits crimes in attempt to get people to care about him and his situation. There's also his being a pickpocket, which necessitates being close to people, riding crowded buses for human conctact. The conversations with the cop and him stealing from his mom are just his pleas to be caught, as shown in the end when he knows he will be caught but he still commits the crime.
So no I don't really think the characterization is shallow, it's actually very complex,and what Bresson is trying to say is best expressed through his detatched formalism, allowing the viewer to string the idea together him/herself rather than be manipulated by over-acting/music/close ups.
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Post by svsg on Sept 30, 2009 15:08:05 GMT
So no I don't really think the characterization is shallow, I said that Jeanne's character exploration was shallow, not Michel's (which is obviously dealt with, with most attention in the film). Anyway, I see your point. |
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Post by quentincompson on Oct 1, 2009 9:32:34 GMT
Oops my bad. Yea the other characters didn't seem that important to me, only means of illuminating Michel.
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Post by svsg on Oct 11, 2009 16:03:45 GMT
Pickpocket A man escaped  |
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Post by svsg on Nov 5, 2009 17:53:09 GMT
Pickpocket A man escaped The diary of a country priest  Enjoyed it thoroughly, though I am skeptical on its long term impact on me. |
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