Reviewed by rogerco,

on 19 Feb 2022
Where seen: Streamed proj @ home

Vaguely Interesting

Review of" Pickpocket  

Film directed by: Xiao Wu 

Film released: 1997

Summary
Totally unsympathetic lead character rather mars it

Review

The depiction of life in small town China post Mao is interesting but the entire film is spent following this useless loser around which is not at all interesting. He just mooches through life.

Somewhat reminiscent of Ken Loach or Mike Leigh's films providing a slice of life with amateur actors and improvised/workshopped dialogue, but without anyone the audience can identify with (even if we don't actually like them) it fails to engage as a narrative.