The Only Living Pickpocket: Turturro drills the craft

Actor John Turturro, 69, has trained as a pickpocket to prepare for his role in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York. The film opens this year and stars Turturro as Harry, a skilled thief who serves as the primary caretaker for his catatonic wife. The plot centers on Harry stealing a backpack from a college student, an act that triggers a chain of events involving a crime boss’s grandson.

To master the physical demands of the character, Turturro worked with Apollo Robbins, a professional sleight of hand artist. Robbins coached Turturro on misdirection and provided specific exercises to refine his technique. Turturro practiced constantly on set and in the production office, testing his skills on real people to ensure his movements were natural and effective.

Turturro noted that the difficulty of a theft depends heavily on the victim’s clothing and posture. He explained that tight horizontal pockets in fitted jeans present a challenge, while back pockets are generally easier targets. He identified unsecured zippers on backpacks and purses worn on the back as the most vulnerable entry points for a thief.

This role aligns with Turturro’s history of playing morally complex characters. His filmography includes Do the Right Thing, The Big Lebowski, and O Brother, Where Art Thou? In recent years, he has appeared in television series such as Severance and The Plot Against America. Turturro stated that he seeks out roles that require him to learn new skills, describing the process as mining for material in a sub-basement.

Turturro’s personal history has informed his understanding of high-stress environments. He served as the legal guardian for his late brother, who had schizophrenia. This role required him to manage housing, hire aides, and navigate a mental health system he described as lacking structure. He recalled periods when his brother was hospitalized, often due to unpredictable behavior, and Turturro had to decide how to respond to outbursts while maintaining a protective barrier for himself.

His upbringing in a volatile household also shaped his perspective. His father suffered from PTSD after serving on a destroyer during World War II. Turturro grew up in Hollis, Queens, a predominantly Black neighborhood, before moving to Rosedale, where he faced prejudice based on his appearance. He described these experiences as an acting class in real life, teaching him how to diffuse tension and observe human behavior closely.

Turturro said he feels comfortable working with women, a dynamic rooted in his childhood. He helped his mother, a dressmaker, with patterns and even modeled wedding dresses when the mannequin was too small. He credited this early exposure to women’s conversations and support networks for shaping his career approach. He currently views his age as an asset, noting that while physical agility may decline, the accumulated experience allows for greater precision and stillness in performance.