The Pawnbroker

*The Pawnbroker* is a 1964 film directed by Sidney Lumet, based on Edward Lewis Walinsky's novel. It follows Sol Nazerman, a Holocaust survivor and pawnshop owner in Harlem, who battles emotional trauma and societal struggles. The movie explores themes of trauma, redemption, and the human condition, showcasing how economic hardship and personal history impact individuals. Set against a gritty urban backdrop, it examines the moral complexities faced by those living on society’s margins, using the pawnshop as a symbol of survival, memory, and the search for meaning amid hardship.