Pickpocket

The style of this film

is not that of a thriller.

Using image and sound,

the filmmaker strives to express

the nightmare of a young man

whose weaknesses lead him

to commit acts of theft

for which nothing destined him.

However, this adventure,

and the strange paths it takes,

brings together two souls

that may otherwise never have met.

I know those who've done

these things usually keep quiet,

and those who talk

haven't done them.

Yet I have done them.

I had made my decision

some days before.

But would I have the nerve?

I should have left.

I was walking on air,

with the world at my feet.

But a minute later I was caught.

You can't prove anything.

You're not certain.

We won't keep you any longer, sir.

You may go.

I wanted to put

my thoughts in order.

I was exhausted.

I slept until morning.

I hadn't seen my mother

for a month.

I hesitated.

Wait.

I have the key.

I'll let you in.

Who are you?

Jeanne, a neighbor.

How is she?

Not well. She frets a lot.

She has nothing.

It's you she needs.

Could you give her this money?

You're not coming in to see her?

Good-bye, Jeanne.

Will you come back?

Jacques was honest

and resourceful.

I'd been avoiding him,

but that evening

I have no work.

I'll take anything.

Any addresses?

That you won't use?

This is serious.

All right, then.

One more time.

You're good with your hands.

I know you deserve better.

Just learn to wait.

Be happy with what's offered.

It will bring you a new suit,

a tie

His face seemed familiar to me.

Stupidly, I greeted him.

Do you recognize me?

I'd look like a scatterbrain,

but why should I fear him?

Are there many thieves?

Many. All different kinds.

An infinite variety.

Not all theft is so serious.

Some can be excused

if poverty is behind it.

Of course.

Could one turn a blind eye

to certain kinds of theft?

You have a theory on that.

- Me?

Let's hear it.

It's nothing new.

Let's hear it anyway.

Can we not admit

that certain skilled men,

gifted with intelligence,

talent or even genius,

and thus indispensable to society,

rather than stagnate,

should be free to disobey laws

in certain cases?

That could be difficult.

And dangerous.

Society could only gain from it.

Who will identify these supermen?

They themselves.

Their conscience.

You know any man

who doesn't think he's exceptional?

Don't worry. It would only be

at first. Then they'd stop.

They don't stop, believe me.

A useful thief, then?

A benefactor?

That's the world upside down.

It's already upside down.

This could set it right.

Michel, can you explain?

I have explained.

They were wrong.

They apologized.

Of course.

It's despicable, true.

But why did you have to go

and tell him all that?

First off,

you made me talk about it.

Second, it doesn't matter.

Those addresses.

Will you go?

After I made some money

Is that what I needed?

Did I really think

it would get me anywhere?

But I couldn't face

returning to my room.

Why were my eyes glued

to that one strange man?

Of course,

the wallet was inside.

Which fingers should I use?

I knew I must try harder.

The paper was shaking

in my hands.

My heart was pounding.

This success encouraged me.

It was due more to luck

than skill.

Well?

Your theories don't interest him,

but you do.

He asked about me?

Don't worry.

He knows who you are now.

Found any work yet?

I need nothing.

Can you live on nothing?

You're mad!

Where are you going?

Stay here.

I changed routes each time,

using one line and then another.

I did this for a week.

The pickings were poor

and not worth the risk.

Give me back my wallet.

Shall I call the police?

I stayed in for a few days,

instinctively cautious,

only going out for dinner.

This young lady is here for you.

How about some light?

Look where the great man lives

in a hovel.

It's my mother, isn't it?

She's very ill.

She keeps asking

why you turned away from her door.

- You did that?

- You must come.

Thank you, Jeanne.

Will you come?

Shall I go?

Yes, go.

Jeanne will show you the way.

Selfish man.

You say you love your mother?

More than myself.

But just go, please. Go.

You're an odd one.

What is it?

Who are you?

I had to know.

Fifteen minutes later,

we were friends.

Come and see.

There, in that small bar,

I learned most of my tricks.

He taught me generously

and freely.

My fingers needed exercise

to become supple.

The pinball machine

helped with my reflexes.

I went home only to sleep.

Had it been there long?

I had stepped right over it.

COME QUICKLY JEANNE

Her face was calm.

She was sleeping.

I know you don't like questions.

I won't ask any.

I thought I bored you.

Now I understand everything.

Your friend came here.

He told me about you.

What did he say?

Bad things?

I wouldn't have let him.

No, he's very fond of you.

I was worried.

I was wrong.

You're bright enough

to succeed whenever you want.

I want to now.

I want to make you happy.

But I'm going away, my child.

We must leave one another.

Tomorrow you'll be better.

You'll be up soon.

The doctor said so.

Didn't he, Jeanne?

I'm sure of it.

There.

All that's left.

Papers, letters, a few photos.

It's over.

There's no turning back now.

Are you leaving?

I have to pick my sister up

from school.

Jeanne...

do you think we'll be judged?

Yes, but don't fear for her.

She was perfect.

Judged how? According to laws?

What laws? It's absurd.

Do you believe in nothing?

I believed in God, Jeanne,

for three minutes.

A week later, I sat down

in the lobby of a famous bank.

I got scared.

He got away from me.

We split our take over cards.

We could show the money openly.

Next time, there'll be

three of us, not two.

Is that clear?

- Perfectly clear.

We weren't talkative.

In all that time,

he knew me

no better than I knew him.

Going through my things?

Where did you find that?

There, on the table.

Thieves disgust me.

They're idlers.

Barrington was no idler.

He'd spend all night reading.

To trick rich people

into being his friends.

He stole from friends.

You think that's right?

Let's go out. Come on.

Still, he had guts.

They hanged thieves back then.

Now, it's prison.

Do you know what prison is?

- I can imagine.

- No, you can't.

- May I borrow it?

- If you'd like.

- The same old ideas?

- The same.

In any case,

even the most skillful pickpocket

won't help humanity progress.

I never said that.

It's absurd.

Tell me, do you think

there are many around?

Many of whom?

These supermen of yours.

Who can say?

They don't get caught.

But you claim these people exist.

Perhaps you know one?

If I did, I wouldn't tell you.

Of course.

May I?

Barrington?

Never heard of him.

Was he one of your supermen?

No, but feel free to take a look.

Come see me someday,

and bring the book.

I know he suspects me.

So do you. Admit it.

Admit what?

Nothing.

Don't go see him.

I'm going to.

Hand it over.

Go then, if you must.

He kept me waiting

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