The Only Living Pickpocket in New York is the kind of film that feels designed to be a vehicle for its star to remind us just what an actor and what a screen presence he is. Fortunately, beyond that it's quite good at the same time. We get a great little story, cleverly told, filled with heart and pathos, while also getting to see Turturro be excellent.
The story is on the small side and the film makes the right choice not to try to pad it or fill it with superfluous side plots. Instead it stays focused on this one day in this one man's life. He is a man who is both on the pathetic side (he has made many mistakes and has only eked out a passable life through this main skill set - pick pocketing) but he is also at peace with who he is and the life he's made despite the hardships he has faced. Turturro captures all this so beautifully with his understated performance supported by a cast that includes other legends (Curtis shows up for a truly wonderful cameo and Buscemi is the consummate supporting actor here) and a solid supporting cast (Price and Maslany both give delightful turns).
The story plays out so nicely, always feeling rather organic, never contrived. The film holds back a few things for its little twists and does so in a way that doesn't feel cheap or tawdry. Instead the story's climax is satisfying. I appreciated that the film didn't try to make this into anything more than it is because what it is is a great little film that is a wonderful watch.
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York
Starring: John Turturro, Giancarlo Esposito, Will Price, Tatiana Maslany, Steve Buscemi, Jamie Lee Curtis, John Galligher Jr., Tatiana Maslany, Aida Turturro, Lori Tan Chinn, Kelvin Han Lee, Karina Arroyave
Writer/Director: Noah Segan
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