By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
“THE ONLY LIVING PICKPOCKET IN NEW YORK” WILL STEAL YOUR HEART
You don't have to look far to recognize that Emmy Award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated actor John Turturro (TV's "Severance") has built an impressive body of work.
But his latest film,
"The Only Living Pickpocket in New York" could very well add another standout performance to his already distinguished career and generate some serious Awards Season buzz. It's that good. Turturro delivers a gritty, deeply layered, and nuanced performance that is nothing short of terrific.
Written and directed by
Noah Segan ("Wake Up Dead Man"), "The Only Living Pickpocket in New York" has a distinctly cool, 1980s New York vibe. But don't let that fool you. There's more going on beneath this film's surface than meets the eye.
At the center of it all is Harry Lehman (Turturro), an aging pickpocket who still relies on the old-fashioned skills that have kept him going for decades. Living in the Bronx and caring for his catatonic wife Rosie (Karina Arroyave, "The Reunion"), Harry is a throwback to another era. He doesn't own a cell phone, isn't particularly tech-savvy, and still prefers spinning vinyl on his turntable and grooving to Odyssey's soulful '70s hit, "Native New Yorker."
Unfortunately, a routine pickpocketing job involving a young man named Dylan (Will Price, "Artificial"), his watch, and a mysterious USB device, sends Harry's life spiraling into dangerous territory. What Harry doesn't realize is that the device is connected to a cryptocurrency fortune and that the young man he's robbed has powerful and decidedly unsavory family connections. Suddenly, Harry finds himself in a situation where his usual tricks may not be enough to save him.
Even the supporting cast helps make this film a winner. Steve Buscemi ("Wild Horse Nine") is terrific as Ben, Harry's longtime friend and pawn shop owner, while Giancarlo Esposito ("The Cat In The Hat") brings an appropriately dreary edge to his portrayal of a burned-out police detective who is being pushed out of the business. Tatiana Maslany ("Keeper" and TV's "Invincible") delivers a poignant performance as Harry's estranged daughter, Kelly. Then there's Jamie Lee Curtis ("Ella McCay" and TV's "The Bear"), whose brief but memorable appearance as Moira, an old-school crime family matriarch, adds another delicious layer of intrigue.
What I particularly enjoyed is how the director (Segan) blends the atmosphere of a vintage New York crime caper with something much more thoughtful and surprisingly touching. There's a wonderful sense of nostalgia woven throughout the film, but Harry isn't simply a relic of the past. He's a man struggling with his own mortality, the changing world around him, and the personal regrets that have accumulated over a lifetime.
Turturro conveys so much with just a weary glance, a subtle expression, and a perfectly timed bit of dialogue. The film's unexpected twists and turns keep you guessing.
"The Only Living Pickpocket in New York" is a wonderfully entertaining film with more heart and style than its title might suggest. It's part crime thriller, part character study, and part affectionate love letter to a New York City that seems to be disappearing.
Turturro gives one of those lived-in, understated performances that remind you why he's such a respected actor.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Watch This Trailer For
"THE ONLY LIVING PICKPOCKET IN NEW YORK"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
