John Turturro‘s commitment to his latest role nearly got him into real trouble. The actor was preparing to portray a professional pickpocket in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York when he came close to trying the skill on an actual subway passenger. However, he reconsidered before taking anything, realizing the experiment could have serious consequences.
In an interview with Variety, Turturro recalled the close call, saying, “I had my hand, sort of almost in the bag.” He explained why he decided against going further, saying, “But then I felt like, I would have to give it back, and I could get arrested.” Instead, he continued learning the craft under an expert and practiced his techniques during the film’s production.
How Turturro practiced pickpocketing on the movie set
For the role, Turturro trained with Apollo Robbins, a renowned sleight-of-hand artist. The actor described him as “part concert pianist, part psychologist,” highlighting the precision and psychological understanding the profession involved.
The training also allowed Turturro to experiment with the techniques on set. He revealed that he regularly attempted to lift objects from crew members to improve his skills. The actor told Variety, “I practiced a lot on set, constantly trying to do it with the crew.” He also admitted, “Sometimes you’d get caught.”
Turturro further explained the principle behind successfully picking someone’s pocket. He said, “The whole idea is that you don’t feel it.” The actor compared the technique to a magic trick, adding, “It’s kind of a magic trick.” Through Robbins’ guidance and his experiments on set, Turturro developed a better understanding of the subtle movements and psychological elements involved in portraying a skilled pickpocket.
Written and directed by Noah Segan, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York follows Harry Lehman (Turturro), an aging pickpocket who steals a valuable USB drive. He then has to get it back before a crime family comes after him. The film also stars Giancarlo Esposito, Steve Buscemi, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tatiana Maslany, and Will Price.
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York is now playing in theaters.
Originally reported on ComingSoon.
