I saw this film at the premiere at Tribeca and was genuinely moved. It's a great father/son story set in the unique world of card and dice hustlers. I'll keep this review somewhat brief and just comment on a few areas that I thought were great (although there are several more than what I posted)
Cast-Chaz Palmentari was PERFECT as Yonkers Joe. It would have been easy for him to just play the gangster role that he's sometimes cast as, but instead, he gives the character of Yonkers depth. Tom Guiry was just as strong as Yonker's son, Joe Jr. Add in to that Michael Lerner, Christine Lahti and Linus Roache and you've got an all-star cast. Very nice work here.
Script-I always enjoy films that take me into a life that I'm not familiar with and in this area, Yonkers delivers. The dice moves, the card moves, the way a whole crew infiltrates and takes down a game, and of course, a climatic heist. But it's important to note that this aspect of the film is not generic. You can tell writer/director Robert Celestino not only knows this world, but is passionate about it. Add to this a very moving father/son story centering around a young man with down syndrome and you've got a great script.
Direction-From the opening shots, the film stared to draw me in. At first, it feels like we're a fly on the wall in this world which is a treat since it's a world I have never seen so authentically depicted in a film before. Another element I really enjoyed was how the look for the film progressed from dark to light - kind of a metaphor about how Yonkers opens up as the film progresses. Very nice touch.
This film is solid from the opening shot. The examination of the card and dice world draws you in right away. Then the father/son story complicates Yonker's life as well as the rest of the film. If you're looking for a good indy film that's unique, authentic, and touching, Yonkers Joe is for you.
Cast-Chaz Palmentari was PERFECT as Yonkers Joe. It would have been easy for him to just play the gangster role that he's sometimes cast as, but instead, he gives the character of Yonkers depth. Tom Guiry was just as strong as Yonker's son, Joe Jr. Add in to that Michael Lerner, Christine Lahti and Linus Roache and you've got an all-star cast. Very nice work here.
Script-I always enjoy films that take me into a life that I'm not familiar with and in this area, Yonkers delivers. The dice moves, the card moves, the way a whole crew infiltrates and takes down a game, and of course, a climatic heist. But it's important to note that this aspect of the film is not generic. You can tell writer/director Robert Celestino not only knows this world, but is passionate about it. Add to this a very moving father/son story centering around a young man with down syndrome and you've got a great script.
Direction-From the opening shots, the film stared to draw me in. At first, it feels like we're a fly on the wall in this world which is a treat since it's a world I have never seen so authentically depicted in a film before. Another element I really enjoyed was how the look for the film progressed from dark to light - kind of a metaphor about how Yonkers opens up as the film progresses. Very nice touch.
This film is solid from the opening shot. The examination of the card and dice world draws you in right away. Then the father/son story complicates Yonker's life as well as the rest of the film. If you're looking for a good indy film that's unique, authentic, and touching, Yonkers Joe is for you.