Lisa’s The Only Living Pickpocket in New York review takes a somber and sentimental look at the Big Apple through the singular, soulful eyes of John Turturro in a career defining role.

As the title craftily reveals, there are two stars in this Big Apple centered film: John Turturro’s waning and wistful pickpocket, and the city itself. Both the craft (if you can call it that) of personal theft and the city itself are undergoing inevitable and irreversible changes, for better or worse.

The Only Living Pickpocket in New York may seem as it’s specifically aimed at those who live in and love the city, grit and all. But even this 5th generation California girl caught herself feeling sentimental about it. Over the years, I’ve found myself having quite a few seminal experiences there, including my first wide-eyed trip as a college student who had used every penny she had to fly in to accept a Sigma Delta Chi Award for her student newspaper.

Since then I’ve danced at Studio 54, dined at Windows on the World, and split a towering pastrami sandwich four-ways at Carnegie’s Deli, all consummate New York experiences that have faded into the past. Because of my career as an author and entertainment pundit, I probably come close to having averaged about an excursion per year there, having enjoyed myriad Broadway plays, film junkets, shopping, festivals, media events and appearances. I’ve been driven around in limos and big yellow taxis that seem to have given way to discreet Ubers and big black SUVs.

This New York centric film, bookended by musical tributes to the city, will bring back as sort of meaningful reminiscence perhaps even a yearning, to anyone who’s ever been there — and even to some of those who have only read about it. That’s quite the accomplishment, considering the film is based on the pickpocket trade, and actually drums up sympathy for a guy who robs from the rich and the poor, and gives to himself.

The Only Living Pickpocket in New York review — Why he’s the last one

Turturro’s eyes, the masculine equivalent of Bette Davis’s, do all the expressing, and take you where he cares to lead you. Here it’s toward feeling sorry for Harry Lehman, the thief whose profession is rapidly becoming outdated. Pick a pocket and you get nothing of value these days — no one uses cash any more and credit cards are rapidly becoming obsolete, as people are increasingly paying with their cell phones. Cell phones too are of little value, because of their impregnable security systems.

Watches? Does anyone wear a Rolex or Patek Philippe on the street anymore? Apple Watches are the universal time pieces now, because they also keep one plugged in—telling time is no longer a watch’s primary purpose. And few people wear expensive jewelry on public transportation or any other highly populated locations. What’s a poor pickpocket to do?

In Harry’s case, he accidentally picks the wrong pocket and scores a valuable USB flash drive that makes him a mob target, eventually sending him racing (in a middle-aged man shuffle) across the the city’s distinctive boroughs, in a life or death chase that could tragically effect everyone he loves.

The all-star cast, which also includes Giancarlo Esposito, Jamie Lee Curtis and Steve Buscemi for a few minutes or more, play characters all past their primes, reflecting on the semi-good old days in the City that Never Sleeps—days before the mob went high tech, a cop could obligingly look the other way for a friend, and fences dealt in quaint local, rather than international, networks.

As characters reminisce, so do audiences, at the hand extremely talented screenwriter/director Noah Sagen, who has served as director and screenwriter on well received films including Blood Relatives and Scare Package, and acted in myriad movies including two Knives Out films and Looper.

You can probably surmise from my The Only Living Pickpocket in New York reviews that it’s not make my list of 10 Top Movies of the Year, but I’d definitely I’d recommend it to those of you looking for more of a cerebral, serious vibe. A feel good film it’s not, but sometimes melancholy and thoughtful is just the ticket — a rewarding way to spend an hour and a half.

Rated R

1 Hour 28 Minutes

If this The Only Living Pickpocket in New York review encourages you to shuffle on over the cineplex, find times and tickets at Fandango.com.

Lisa’s The Only Living Pickpocket in New York review takes a somber and sentimental look at the Big Apple through the singular, soulful eyes of John Turturro in a career defining role.