The 'romance' is definitely the weak point of this movie, it's the only element that doesn't really work at all. Apart from that however this is a very, very good late noir, with a fascinating premise and great use of Cold War paranoia that set it apart from many other similar movies.

Pickup on South Street is a nasty little Noir in which a pickpocket lifts the wrong wallet, gets a hold of film being passed along to Commie spies, and a heap of trouble along with it, as police and Reds alike converge on him. There's honor among crooks in this, but no good guys. Even the cops are iffy. But the film is populated by interesting and distinctive characters that you get to care for them anyway. Chief among these is Thelma Ritter who's shtick is being great in movies, but I don't think I've seen her THIS great. Jean Peters is hot as hell, even if we can hardly believe any of her romantic entanglements - the time frame is too quick for any of these feelings to develop, but then again, she's really into toxic relationships. And I guess it works because there's no character more toxic than our "hero", Richard Widmark's slick but brutish thief. Lots of suspense. Cracking dialog. Shocks and surprises. Strong but unobtrusive Noir cinematography. And in a lean 80-minute package too. Recommended.

That ending is only upbeat on the surface, mainly because the whole film is about the nobility of petty criminals. He didn't reform at all though and could be locked up in a second if he is caught again. Oh and it more than works. This is Fuller gold through and through.