A pickpocket's last stand

John Turturro plays Harry, a career criminal in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York. He steals to survive but cares for his disabled wife and operates by a code in a world going cashless.

Noah Segan's debut feature

Writer-director Noah Segan sent the screenplay to Turturro hoping for a yes. The film hits theaters nationwide on October thirtieth and could earn Turturro his first Oscar nomination.

Why Turturro said yes

Turturro was struck by the script's structure, comparing it to Greek plays with Aristotelian tension and propulsive movement. He said meeting Noah Segan felt like receiving a gift he wanted to reciprocate.

“When Noah gave me the script, it's like a gift. You want to reciprocate.”

Harry's code

Harry is a criminal but operates by a code, loyal to his wife and true to his word.

Nostalgia for old New York

The film captures a vanishing analog New York. Turturro misses when neighborhoods had texture and culture was affordable. He saw Jimi Hendrix at the Electric Circus and Colleen Dewhurst on stage as a young man.

A city of ghosts

Turturro reflects on how New York has changed. Everyone stares at phones instead of each other. He keeps people in his phone contacts because maybe he will need the number in the afterlife.

“In my phone, I don't take people out because maybe I need the number in the afterlife or something.”

Filmed across all five boroughs

The movie was filmed in every borough. Harry knows transit lines and subways, not Ubers. Turturro walks and takes subways everywhere, exploring the underbelly of people who keep the city humming.

A love scene in dance

Harry dances to Native New Yorker for his wife Rosie, who is disabled and non-verbal. Turturro studied dance and grew up in a household where everyone danced. Movement brings joy even in intense stories.

Reuniting with old collaborators

Giancarlo Esposito plays a detective and Steve Buscemi owns the pawn shop.Turturro asked Esposito to read the script and has known Buscemi for years as neighbors.Their history meant they did not have to invent chemistry.

Theater keeps him sharp

Turturro just finished the play Rhinoceros with Tatiana Maslany and director Diane Paulus. He loves the rehearsal process and doing theater that young people can afford. It keeps him fresh for film work.

Irving and the Severance mystery

Turturro plays Irving on Severance, which fans obsess over with conspiracy theories.The show poses questions about work and personal life without answering them.He works with Chris Walken, whom he calls the apple of his eye.

A Knicks fan's hope

As a season-ticket holder, Turturro feels hopeful about this year's Knicks season. He treasures being a fan and loves coming home on the train when everyone is in shock together.

“I feel hopeful. I'm not overconfident. It was beautiful how they all coalesced.”