THE ONLY LIVING PICKPOCKET IN NEW YORK
Starring: John Turturro, Giancarlo Esposito, Will Price, Tatiana Maslany, Victoria Moroles, Steve Buscemi, and Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Noah Segan
ADRIANO
There’s a breeziness to The Only Living Pickpocket in New York that makes it so much more than the typical crime drama it may come off as. Part of that, of course, is owed to the reliable charm of John Turturro which reveals a hidden devastation, but also to writer/director Noah Segan, who turns what can be an annoying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” tale into something funny. With its hijinks and fun supporting cast, it’s contemplative as an introspective character study. Its ease is what makes it so good. Nothing massive, yet ultimately rewarding.
ROBERT
It’s quite the cinematic magic trick when a film isn’t lost in its scale of focus, no matter how big or small it tries to be. I believe The Only Living Pickpocket in New York excels at being one of the most intimate but simultaneously sprawling movies in some time, and it does so without misunderstanding its identity. It truly makes the city feel like a character along with John Turturro’s Harry, mirroring his internal struggle as an analog man in a digital world. While not always capturing the correct dramatic tone, make sure you open your hearts, and hopefully still-pocketed wallets, for this one.
AMARÚ
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York is cooler than the other side of the pillow. From the jazzy score to Noah Segan’s gritty direction and great use of shadow, the film flows like a breezy walk in the park. Then shit hits the fan, and John Turturro gives the smoothest tour de force performance to deliver the heart of this film’s groovy start and raw finish. The old man charisma of Turturro is amplified by a slick turn from Giancarlo Esposito, made all the more interesting with the film’s constant old school vs. new school head-butting. A movie never made bad decisions look so cool.
This film was reviewed by Adriano as part of Bitesize Breakdown's coverage of the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival.