Deceptively simple yet cumulatively devastating, this important film will move some to tears, especially in the poignant final act. Bresson's characteristically austere direction and minimal aesthetic (physical gestures in lieu of dialogue, a cyclically heard Schubert sonata instead of a score) steer the story away from sentimentality to achieve something far more special: a transcendent (though markedly pessimistic) vision of humanity. "Balthazar" requires patience and concentration, but for those willing to yield to the melancholic spirit of this film, the reward is a sublime experience that stays with you.