October 29, 2026
FILM: THE ONLY LIVING PICKPOCKET IN NEW YORK
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY: NOAH SEGAN
STARRING: JOHN TURTURRO, STEVE BUSCEMI, WILL PRICE
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
People really do love John Turturro. Some of his most famous roles have been in iconic films such as The Big Lebowski, O Brother Where Art Thou?, and most recently, his Emmy-nominated turn on the series Severance. In The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, Turturro is the star and character we root for even though some of his “work” is illegal and unethical. He’s an actor who makes us care for whomever he plays and this is the film that may finally get him an Oscar nomination for it.
Turturro plays Harry, a man who has been swindling people for close to fifty years. He has all the right moves to quietly steal from the unsuspecting. On the surface, this long-time behavior might make him a despicable character. However, thanks to Noah Segan’s direction and script as well as Turturro’s performance, Harry is something more than that. Most interesting is that he has a wife at home who is essentially catatonic. She can’t move or speak. Whether she can hear is also questionable but that doesn’t stop Harry from having conversations with her. He is clearly very much devoted to her care.
Is Harry unlikable and without remorse for his deeds? Last year, people called the title character played by Timothee Chalamet in Marty Supreme, a film that The Only Living Pickpocket in New York has been receiving some comparisons to, as unlikable. But this time, we actually feel for Harry and understand why he’s doing what he’s doing. When we see his “work” out on the streets he becomes something more than a despicable character. He’s making money to ultimately provide the care needed for his wife.
One of his cohorts is Ben, played by Steve Buscemi. Ben owns a pawn shop to which Harry brings his “findings.” Seeing Turturro and Buscemi together is one of the great joys of the film. Of course, we’ve seen them work together before in The Big Lebowski but they’re older and more seasoned and layered now. It’s a true treat to see them playing men that have a bond lasting over 45 years.
Also featured in the film is the great Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) and Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black). Both have smaller but highly effective roles as a detective and daughter respectively who have orbited around Harry’s life and will both be effected by some of his actions during the course of the narrative. Both bits of casting are welcome and strongly add to the film’s relatability. We know these actors and feel connected to who they play as characters (for better or for worse.)
With its 70s-sounding jazz/r&b score, the film feels like something from that earlier era. (There is a fantastic scene featuring Turturro dancing to the forgotten disco hit Native New Yorker which is worth the price of admission.) This is gritty New York city, which is wonderfully depicted throughout the entire film as its various shades are on display. Harry is a figure from an earlier era but he still resides in contemporary (early 2000s) times. One of the other great elements of the film is its references to new vs. old technology and how making (or stealing) money has changed. Harry is old school, still trying to get cash. Of course, by this time some people are hardly walking around with physical money. Harry is also not as savvy when it comes to the latest technology, whether it be phones or computers. This clashing of eras is also prominent as he clashes with young Dylan (Will Price), a man from a well-to-do crime family who has secret details on a portable drive that Harry finds.
Ultimately, there are a series of twists that play into the characters’ propensities toward fooling and stealing from others. Some get a bit convoluted toward the end but there are flashbacks provided which explain how these situations come together. (I was still a bit confused by the finale though.)
Still, it is a very entertaining and satisfying film filled with very good performances and a relatability that strikes an emotional chord with some very interesting and well-rounded characters.
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York screened at the Chicago International Film Festival. It opens in theaters this week.
FILM: THE ONLY LIVING PICKPOCKET IN NEW YORK
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY: NOAH SEGAN
STARRING: JOHN TURTURRO, STEVE BUSCEMI, WILL PRICE
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
People really do love John Turturro. Some of his most famous roles have been in iconic films such as The Big Lebowski, O Brother Where Art Thou?, and most recently, his Emmy-nominated turn on the series Severance. In The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, Turturro is the star and character we root for even though some of his “work” is illegal and unethical. He’s an actor who makes us care for whomever he plays and this is the film that may finally get him an Oscar nomination for it.
Turturro plays Harry, a man who has been swindling people for close to fifty years. He has all the right moves to quietly steal from the unsuspecting. On the surface, this long-time behavior might make him a despicable character. However, thanks to Noah Segan’s direction and script as well as Turturro’s performance, Harry is something more than that. Most interesting is that he has a wife at home who is essentially catatonic. She can’t move or speak. Whether she can hear is also questionable but that doesn’t stop Harry from having conversations with her. He is clearly very much devoted to her care.
Is Harry unlikable and without remorse for his deeds? Last year, people called the title character played by Timothee Chalamet in Marty Supreme, a film that The Only Living Pickpocket in New York has been receiving some comparisons to, as unlikable. But this time, we actually feel for Harry and understand why he’s doing what he’s doing. When we see his “work” out on the streets he becomes something more than a despicable character. He’s making money to ultimately provide the care needed for his wife.
One of his cohorts is Ben, played by Steve Buscemi. Ben owns a pawn shop to which Harry brings his “findings.” Seeing Turturro and Buscemi together is one of the great joys of the film. Of course, we’ve seen them work together before in The Big Lebowski but they’re older and more seasoned and layered now. It’s a true treat to see them playing men that have a bond lasting over 45 years.
Also featured in the film is the great Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) and Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black). Both have smaller but highly effective roles as a detective and daughter respectively who have orbited around Harry’s life and will both be effected by some of his actions during the course of the narrative. Both bits of casting are welcome and strongly add to the film’s relatability. We know these actors and feel connected to who they play as characters (for better or for worse.)
With its 70s-sounding jazz/r&b score, the film feels like something from that earlier era. (There is a fantastic scene featuring Turturro dancing to the forgotten disco hit Native New Yorker which is worth the price of admission.) This is gritty New York city, which is wonderfully depicted throughout the entire film as its various shades are on display. Harry is a figure from an earlier era but he still resides in contemporary (early 2000s) times. One of the other great elements of the film is its references to new vs. old technology and how making (or stealing) money has changed. Harry is old school, still trying to get cash. Of course, by this time some people are hardly walking around with physical money. Harry is also not as savvy when it comes to the latest technology, whether it be phones or computers. This clashing of eras is also prominent as he clashes with young Dylan (Will Price), a man from a well-to-do crime family who has secret details on a portable drive that Harry finds.
Ultimately, there are a series of twists that play into the characters’ propensities toward fooling and stealing from others. Some get a bit convoluted toward the end but there are flashbacks provided which explain how these situations come together. (I was still a bit confused by the finale though.)
Still, it is a very entertaining and satisfying film filled with very good performances and a relatability that strikes an emotional chord with some very interesting and well-rounded characters.
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York screened at the Chicago International Film Festival. It opens in theaters this week.