Turturro plays a pickpocket who returns stolen goods in new film
The actor says his role as a man struggling with modern technology resonated with his personal life as a guardian to family members.
By Luca Stewart ·
John Turturro stars in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, a film currently in wide release in theaters. In the movie, he plays Harry Lehman, a native New Yorker who supports his disabled wife, Rosie, by pickpocketing. After a theft goes wrong, Harry sets out to return the stolen items.
Turturro told ABC Audio that the role found him at a different level in his life. He explained that he knows what it is to be married, to have children, and to lose loved ones like his parents and brother. He also described himself as a guardian to someone. He noted that his character deals with many of these same things, which made the story resonate deeply with him.
The actor pointed out that while their lives share similarities, Harry struggles to survive in a changing world. Turturro said the character has difficulty adapting to the technological changes around him. He also lacks many resources. This contrast between his own life and the character's struggle was a key part of the performance.
Director Noah Segan, a fourth-generation New Yorker, wrote the screenplay. He aimed to feature every borough of the city in the film. The production shot entirely on location. Segan and his crew completed the shoot in 24 days. He said the team did not want to let the city, their ancestors, or Turturro down.
Segan described the project as a rallying cry for the cast and crew. He said New Yorkers will keep each other going. The decision to shoot on the streets and travel to all boroughs became a challenge the team embraced with excitement.
Turturro studied the art of pickpocketing for the role. He now walks the streets of New York with a heightened awareness. He mentioned that he is still mindful of the craft, noting that he looks for watches that would be difficult to take. Segan said he grew nervous about the actor's immersion in the role.
The director recalled Turturro coming to the office and describing how he saw a lady with an open bag on the subway. He admitted he thought about it for a minute. The cast worried they might have to bail Turturro out as part of his rehearsal process. Segan confirmed that the actor behaved himself and did not go full method.
The film is now available to watch in theaters everywhere. Turturro is known for his work in independent films and television shows like Monk and Severance. His performance as Harry Lehman brings a sense of tenderness and lived experience to the story.
Source: WARH
