The Only Living Pickpocket in New York

Plenty of movies have been called a love letter to New York City, but The Only Living Pickpocket in New York might be the one trying the hardest. If you’re just into seeing New York presented with total nostalgia set to smooth jazz, then this film is going to be your thing. Beyond the New York of it all, there’s still plenty here to enjoy, primarily because of John Turturro and the supporting cast. 

Turturro is, you guessed it, a pickpocket in New York, who longs for the old days of plenty of cash and classic watches. Now, it’s all cell phones and credit cards that can be easily canceled. He barely has anything to sell to his fence, the always great Steve Buscemi. When he swipes a USB card from a young gangster, things become life or death if he can’t retrieve the card.

The plot is fine, if not a little cheesy with all the analog vs. digital era stuff. Turturro is great and embodies an old school pickpocket, but the young gangster (Will Price) isn’t menacing, annoying, or compelling enough. I just didn’t believe anything he said. It’s partly performance, but mainly it’s the script. I just don’t believe that even a very young person would talk about technology like he does. 

It's a minor nit in an otherwise enjoyable time. This film doesn’t overstay its welcome coming in under ninety minutes. It could easily fall into an exercise in misery, but writer/director Noah Segan keeps things breezy, 

Turturro is the standout here, though I am a little surprised by the Oscar buzz I’ve been reading about. I’m all for him getting some recognition, but nothing here floored me. It’s an understated performance, and there’s something to be said for that, but I just don’t think this is going to stick with many people this awards season.

That written, it’s still worth checking out, especially if you’re a fan of these actors or of New York in general. Personally, though, I would rather have followed Buscemi around in The Last Skeezy Pawn Shop Fence in New York.