John Turturro has taken on the role of Harry, an aging thief caring for his disabled wife, in the new Sony Pictures Classics drama 'The Only Living Pickpocket in New York.' Written and directed by Noah Segan, the 90-minute film also features co-stars Steve Buscemi and Giancarlo Esposito. To prepare for the role, Turturro studied under sleight-of-hand artist Apollo Robbins, whom he describes as part concert pianist and part psychologist. While practicing on the subway, Turturro admitted he came close to actually pickpocketing someone but stopped himself to avoid arrest. He noted that the rest of his training occurred on set, where he practiced lifting items from crew members, emphasizing that the goal is for the victim not to feel it at all.
Turturro highlights the unique dynamic of working with Segan, a former actor who understands the camera's perspective. The director provided a playlist of songs that influenced the set's atmosphere and collaborated with cinematographer Sam Levy to use vintage 1970s lenses, creating an intimate visual style with minimal cutting. Turturro credits his long-standing friendship with Buscemi and Esposito for adding depth to the film's fabric. He explains that the character's emotional restraint mirrors real-life caregiving experiences, where attention is focused on the other person rather than oneself. This approach allows the audience space to enter the story without feeling manipulated.
Beyond his current project, Turturro reflects on a significant year marked by the New York Knicks winning their first championship since 1973. A lifelong fan from the Bronx who supported the team during the eras of John Starks and Patrick Ewing, he expressed joy at seeing a collective victory led by captain Jalen Brunson. He draws a parallel between this team success and filmmaking, noting that both require every element to work together seamlessly.
The actor also addressed his career accolades, including a Best Actor win at Cannes for 'Barton Fink' and Emmy nominations for 'The Night Of' and 'Severance,' while noting he has never received an Oscar nomination. He views these awards as secondary to his primary objective of telling stories that resonate with audiences. Turturro remains proud of his 2005 musical 'Romance & Cigarettes,' which he had to buy back and self-distribute after a studio regime change at United Artists/MGM left the film in limbo. Despite initial confusion from some executives, the film received strong critical responses internationally.
Looking ahead, Turturro is developing two personal projects: an adaptation of Philip Roth's 'Sabbath's Theater' and Susan Sheehan's Pulitzer Prize-winning book 'Is There No Place on Earth for Me?' The latter explores mental illness and its impact on families, a subject Turturro knows well from personal experience. He aims to portray the full humanity of those affected rather than focusing solely on the disease. At 69, he emphasizes that time is precious and expresses confidence in both current and young audiences' hunger for diverse storytelling.
Sources: Variety.