Turturro leads new pickpocket film across all five boroughs

The Only Living Pickpocket in New York is now playing in theaters nationwide. The film stars John Turturro as Harry Lehman, a native New Yorker who supports his disabled wife, Rosie, played by Karina Arroyave, through pickpocketing. The narrative shifts when a theft goes wrong and Harry attempts to return the stolen items.

Director Noah Segan wrote the screenplay and shot the film entirely on location. Segan is a fourth-generation New Yorker who aimed to include all five boroughs in the production. The crew completed filming in 24 days. Segan described the decision to shoot on the streets as a rallying cry for the cast and crew. He noted that New Yorkers often encourage one another to push through challenges.

Turturro said the role resonated with him on a personal level. He cited his age and his experience as a husband, father, and guardian of a disabled family member. He lost his parents and a brother, experiences that mirrored Harry’s life in the film. Turturro told ABC Audio that these shared realities made the character feel authentic to him.

The actor highlighted the differences between himself and Harry. Harry struggles to survive in a rapidly changing technological world. Turturro noted that his character lacks resources and finds the modern digital environment difficult to manage. Turturro described Segan’s screenplay as a gift that balanced propulsive action with tenderness and a sense of lived experience.

Preparation for the role involved studying the specific techniques of pickpocketing. Turturro said he now observes streets with a new awareness. He looks for easy targets, such as watches that are difficult to remove, when he walks through the city. This heightened vigilance started during his rehearsal period and has persisted since.

Segan recalled the nervousness on set as Turturro shared stories about potential theft opportunities he spotted during the shoot. The director described Turturro’s reports of seeing open bags on the subway. The crew joked about whether they would need to bail Turturro out as part of his rehearsal process. Segan confirmed that Turturro did not attempt any actual thefts during production.

Turturro has a career that includes work with directors Spike Lee and the Coen brothers. He is also known for his roles in the television series Monk and Severance. His performance in this new film marks a leading role in an independent project focused on the city of New York.

The film is available in theaters everywhere as of this week. Segan said the project was a challenge the team welcomed. He wanted to honor the city and its history while showcasing the locations. The production team committed to the goal of visiting every borough to capture the essence of the place.