The Only Living Pickpocket in New York: A Charming Throwback Thriller
John Turturro delivers a standout performance in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, a leisurely crime noir that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Noah Segan, this straightforward thriller explores the widening gap between old and new ways of life through the eyes of a seasoned pickpocket clinging to disappearing traditions.
A Protagonist of a Dying Breed
The film follows Harry, played with captivating authenticity by Turturro, who represents a vanishing breed of criminal. Though he might steal smartphones, he proudly refuses to own one himself, maintaining his old-school methods in a rapidly digitising world. This character marks a welcome return to leading roles for Turturro, who brings decades of experience to a part that feels tailor-made for his distinctive talents.
Harry operates primarily on New York's subway system, living in the Bronx but finding most of his work in Manhattan. He sells his stolen goods to pawnbroker Ben, played by Steve Buscemi in another memorable collaboration between Coen brothers alumni. Between heists, Harry cares for his wife, who suffers from a degenerative disease that has left her mute and motionless.
Familiar Territory with Fresh Appeal
The plot follows classic crime thriller conventions: Harry makes the critical mistake of stealing from the wrong person - the entitled offspring of a powerful crime family, portrayed with convincing obnoxiousness by rising star Will Price. This error forces him to navigate dangerous territory to resolve the situation before the day ends.
What makes the film particularly engaging is its nostalgic approach to storytelling. At just 88 minutes, it moves briskly while paying homage to character-driven thrillers of the 1970s. The title itself references a Simon and Garfunkel song, reinforcing the theme of disappearing traditions and professions.
New York as Character
The film serves as a love letter to New York City, shot entirely on location with recognisable landmarks that ground the story in authentic urban atmosphere. There's a charming hangout movie quality to Harry's travels through the city as he navigates without modern conveniences like Google Maps, reminding viewers of simpler times.
Tatiana Maslany delivers a powerful performance as Harry's estranged daughter, packing decades of unresolved emotion into a single scene. Her character's reunion with Harry might feel somewhat schematic, but Maslany's raw portrayal elevates the material significantly.
Balancing Nostalgia with Modern Sensibilities
While the generational divide theme occasionally feels overemphasised, with younger characters eye-rolling at older ones struggling with digital progression, the film ultimately makes a convincing case for appreciating older ways. Segan's direction borrows flair from yesteryear while maintaining contemporary relevance.
The script contains some contrived moments, including explanatory doubling back that feels more goofy than clever, and a surprising last-act cameo from an Oscar-winning actor that proves somewhat jarring. However, Segan manages to deliver a satisfyingly bittersweet conclusion that honours the film's various tributes - to a city, a time period, a genre, a particular mentality, and to Turturro himself.
A Welcome Return to Classic Storytelling
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York represents exactly what its title suggests: a celebration of something rare and disappearing. While the territory feels familiar to crime thriller enthusiasts, there's genuine pleasure in returning to well-executed conventions when handled with this much sincerity and charm.
Turturro proves remarkably compelling as the morally ambiguous protagonist, looking impressively sharp at 68 and bringing such likable energy to the role that viewers will wish they could spend more time following his adventures through New York's streets. The film successfully balances its nostalgic elements with enough contemporary relevance to feel both timeless and timely.
