This film is a masterpiece. It’s just a great film. It’s simple. It’s focused. Its characters are few and deeply sympathetic, and in that it seems (to me) closer to neo-realism informed by the skills of Bresson’s immediate contemporary/copatriots (Renoir, Clouzot) than the French New Wave that would follow. Of course, this film, like any other by Bresson, is by Bresson, and comparisons to any other films should be kept to a minimum.

Note: The above sentiments do not stem from auteur theory (my real or feigned support or for it, or any bastardization thereof). It’s simply a statement of fact. Fact.