Actor John Turturro Trains With Sleight of Hand Expert for New Film

John Turturro spent months mastering the art of pickpocketing to prepare for his role in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York. The film features him as Harry, a skilled thief who serves as the primary caretaker for his catatonic wife. His character’s life is upended when he steals the backpack of a college student who is the grandson of a crime boss.

Turturro, 69, worked with Apollo Robbins, a well-known sleight of hand artist, to learn the mechanics of misdirection. Turturro said Robbins gave him specific exercises to study and coached him on the physical movements required for the trade. He practiced in the production office and on set regularly, noting that tight horizontal pockets in tight jeans are difficult to access, while back pockets and unzipped purses offer easier targets.

The role fits a pattern in Turturro’s career, which includes morally complex characters in films like The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Do the Right Thing. He has also appeared in television series such as Severance, The Night Of and The Plot Against America. Turturro says he is drawn to these parts because he enjoys the challenge of learning new skills, describing the process as mining for details and embracing the unknown possibility of failure.

In an interview, Turturro also discussed his personal history, which he says informs his acting choices. He spoke about his father’s post-traumatic stress disorder from World War II and the volatility of his childhood home in Queens. He grew up in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Hollis before moving to Rosedale, where he felt prejudice despite his Italian heritage. These experiences, he noted, helped him understand the dynamics of multicultural communities.

Turturro said he learned how to manage tense situations by observing his mother, a dressmaker, and his father. He described his upbringing as an acting class in real life, where he often served as a mediator between his parents. This background allows him to bring a sense of stillness and precision to his performance, a skill he values more in his later years than physical speed. He believes his full toolbox of life experience enriches the character of Harry.

The film centers on Harry’s daily struggle to care for his wife while maintaining his profession. Turturro said the role reflects his own interest in understanding human behavior and the complexities of care. He pointed out that the character’s life is defined by the tension between his professional skills and his domestic responsibilities. The production highlights the specific physical demands of the pickpocket trade, which Turturro brought to the screen through dedicated training with Robbins.

Turturro’s preparation involved studying the habits of potential victims and the mechanics of stealth. He emphasized the importance of understanding what makes a person vulnerable to a pickpocket, such as the placement of bags or the fit of clothing. This technical knowledge formed the basis of his performance, allowing him to portray the skill and focus required of Harry in the film.