This movie is killer. Tom Guiry is spot-on, playing Chazz Palminteri's (Yonkers Joe) mentally challenged son, Joey. The two have been separated for years (With Guiry in a group home), yet he still loves his father all the same. Eventually, Guiry begins acting out at the home, with an explosive temper, and he is forced to move back in with his father. I like movies featuring with big heist themes, as well as films where the "good guys" win. In this film, Yonkers Joe has made a career of swindling people at the card table, and he just needs to roll a few more trick plays to afford a better future for his son. The acting in Yonkers Joe is tremendous, with Tom Guiry easily pulling off his role. His character alone makes the film, and the director doesn't sugarcoat Joey's genetic disease in any way. It's an emotional ride, with a great ending, and I would recommend it to anyone.
23 Reviews
Nicely done but lacks a little
intelearts26 January 2009
Nice indie film with great ingredients: gambling, sleight of hand, craps rather than cards, no poker sponsors (Hurrah!) and in the mix a good family drama about a father discovering his mentally handicapped son and building that relationship.
It works in the main: a very solid cast and a good script give this some oomph, however it is a little light on real drama. Perhaps it suffers from the seen it before syndrome that afflicts most con films, even with the twists of dice and a handicapped kid, that aside as a study of a gambler rediscovering life it works well.
It is enjoyable and the performances are solid.
Definitely worth viewing - just lacks something that something extra that would make it truly memorable.
It works in the main: a very solid cast and a good script give this some oomph, however it is a little light on real drama. Perhaps it suffers from the seen it before syndrome that afflicts most con films, even with the twists of dice and a handicapped kid, that aside as a study of a gambler rediscovering life it works well.
It is enjoyable and the performances are solid.
Definitely worth viewing - just lacks something that something extra that would make it truly memorable.
Ocean's 5?
bilgerat9920 May 2009
This movie's plot revolves around a small gang as it prepares itself to take on the Casinos. As a counterpoint, a simultaneous plot evolves involving a very difficult father-son relationship. The two interwoven plots, like a piece of contrapuntal baroque music, result in a rich textured film that never bogs down.
Where "Ocean's 11" may epitomize the star-studded Hollywood con movie and "21", the real-life story adaptation, this wonderful Indie film carves out it's own territory. Believable, informative and very enjoyable.
A fine and successful effort by all involved, with special kudos to Tom Guiry for a truly remarkable performance.
Where "Ocean's 11" may epitomize the star-studded Hollywood con movie and "21", the real-life story adaptation, this wonderful Indie film carves out it's own territory. Believable, informative and very enjoyable.
A fine and successful effort by all involved, with special kudos to Tom Guiry for a truly remarkable performance.
Rare, Heartfelt film for this genre. very mild spoilers
witster1826 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Some viewers(not all mind you) shy away from films involving people with learning disabilities. Those people should see this movie.
Yonkers Joe is about a con-artist who must suddenly take care of his son who has, as Joe Jr. put it,"one extra chromosome". Chazz Palminteri's character goes through a fantastic transformation in this film - going from the A-typical soulless con-man to a loving father.
The three leads in this film do an incredible job in three very difficult roles to play. I think the director did a superb job of creating a realistic film that is original and heartfelt. I'd be interested to see the budget on this film(sure it was low).
Yonkers Joe takes the simple approach to film-making. Thumbs up for all those involved for making a meaningful film at a time when they are so few and far in between.
The gambling scenes are realistic. The characters are believable. Yonkers is a success for all those involved and a surprising treat for this unsuspecting viewer.
I would rank this higher but the ending was rushed a bit, and it definitely falls a bit short in the 'style' department. Either way a good sleeper that is definitely worth at least one viewing.
There will be a divided audience on this because of the natural, uncomfortable moments that arise from some truly disturbing father-son moments. Chazz starts off as a selfish, near heart-less father, and slowly transforms due to the few loved one's that start to take up larger roles in his life. This uncomfortable feeling shouldn't bring down the rating - it should raise it. It's realistic, transcending. This film has enough moral undertones to more than make up for production and script pitfalls.
72/100
Yonkers Joe is about a con-artist who must suddenly take care of his son who has, as Joe Jr. put it,"one extra chromosome". Chazz Palminteri's character goes through a fantastic transformation in this film - going from the A-typical soulless con-man to a loving father.
The three leads in this film do an incredible job in three very difficult roles to play. I think the director did a superb job of creating a realistic film that is original and heartfelt. I'd be interested to see the budget on this film(sure it was low).
Yonkers Joe takes the simple approach to film-making. Thumbs up for all those involved for making a meaningful film at a time when they are so few and far in between.
The gambling scenes are realistic. The characters are believable. Yonkers is a success for all those involved and a surprising treat for this unsuspecting viewer.
I would rank this higher but the ending was rushed a bit, and it definitely falls a bit short in the 'style' department. Either way a good sleeper that is definitely worth at least one viewing.
There will be a divided audience on this because of the natural, uncomfortable moments that arise from some truly disturbing father-son moments. Chazz starts off as a selfish, near heart-less father, and slowly transforms due to the few loved one's that start to take up larger roles in his life. This uncomfortable feeling shouldn't bring down the rating - it should raise it. It's realistic, transcending. This film has enough moral undertones to more than make up for production and script pitfalls.
72/100
The acting is what makes this work
dbborroughs23 March 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Chazz Paminteri stars as a gambler who is trying to come up with a way to score a big mount of money from the casinos in Atlantic City and Vegas when he's informed that his mentally challenged son not only hit a fellow resident in his hospital, but will be turning 21 which means that he will have to be sent elsewhere. Great performances by Palminteri , Christine Lahti and Thomas Guiry highlight this small independent film. yes the gambling plot is contrived and doesn't always work, but the scenes between the father and the son are damn near perfect and I can only assume that the smallness of the production was the reason that they never got noticed. Worth a look if you want to see great acting a movie that doesn't always work, but which has moments that really do.
Hard gritty look at life and perhaps redemption
dunsuls-118 October 2011
This film is not for everyone.Maybe not for most.However if you like films that can be hard to watch and seem painfully true to the world you don't want to see but know is out there,than you MUST see this film.The underside of life meets crisis of family in a way not seen since "rainman"a film I thought was overcast and thus dulled the story by being over exposed to "star"power.Yonkers Joe only loses 1 star because the story is so hard.Released in 2008 and running only 101 minutes the secret is the casting.Inspired therefore of Chazz Palminteri and Christine Lahti as two losers who cling to the hope of a last score to continue their pathetic lives.Chaz plays Joe and he has a son who is institutionalized and has never really been there for him since his wife left them both.Joe Jr. is played well enough by Tom Guiry but he's really a burden that Joe can't shake and is now forced to confront when the institution is going to expel him as being unmanageable.It's never explained what the soon to be 21 year old's issues are other than he's mentally and socially challenged. Christine plays Janice who has very low self esteem but is a anchor for Joe. Focusing on a score against casino crap games in Vegas clash with the rediscovery of the father/son relationship between the 2 Joe's that is steadied by Janice in a fine performance by Mz Lahti who deserves recognition here.Chaz is Chaz and thats what's called for to make this a more gutty film than "Rainman"was to me.No one is better playing a low life hustler than Chaz and as a cunning low level "mechanic"he scores here.They way the film ends is so believable and yet it's not a happy "hollywood"ending,tho not a disaster ether considering the life everyone has led.If you liked"Leaving las Vegas"the ending is far more upbeat but the film is almost as depressing till then.
Casino scams 101.........
merklekranz7 July 2009
Uneasy mixture of how to cheat the casino and heartfelt family drama. The acting is very good and convincing, however it almost seems like two separate movies. Putting the two story lines together so that they are both believable is only marginally successful. Overall, the film lacks warmth, and the casino scams are difficult to understand by all except the hard core gambling crowd. All said, "Yonkers Joe" is well done and enjoyable, especially if you have some knowledge of the gaming industry. Special mention must be made of Michael Lerner's performance, which was top notch. Marginally recommended for the average viewer, and highly recommended for those who play the games. - MERK
ill advised rain-man ripoff
southportsands31 January 2009
This film was cringe inducing for many reasons, Most of the scenes involving the the son were bordering on offensive. Apart from that and the obvious rain-man ripoff, the acting was very flat and the movie has no real feel to it. The casino scenes are few and far between(unfortunate since they are the only scenes of any worth. Tom Guiry takes on a role similar to that of Tugg Speedman playing Happy Jack in Tropic Thunder nuff said!!Chazz Palminteri surely deserves a better script than this to show his best talents. All in all I would give this film 1 out of 10(SERIOUSLY) for the ill advised script. If I had paid to get into the screener I would definitely asked for my money back. AVOID
Great TRIBECA Premier!
rjb35125 April 2008
YONKERS JOE is a great addition to the tradition of independent New York centered films. Twelve years in the making, its story of a mid-level professional gambler and his adult son with Down's Syndrome was compelling and skillfully played. Chaz Palminteri keeps your attention throughout the story, and Tom Guiry (The Black Donnellys)deserves recognition for a convincing performance of a young man coping with Down's.
The story covers familiar ground with lots of nice twists and details. Technically very clever on the skills required to take on a modern casino security system. Believable from beginning to end.
Support this film when it comes out for release. Wonderful performances by Palminteri, Christine Lahti as his patient and clever love interest and a solid character cast including Michael Lerner,Roma Maffia, Arthur Nascarella and many familiar TV series faces. Any father/son should see this movie. You will laugh and learn, and be wiser at the end.
Support Tribeca!!
The story covers familiar ground with lots of nice twists and details. Technically very clever on the skills required to take on a modern casino security system. Believable from beginning to end.
Support this film when it comes out for release. Wonderful performances by Palminteri, Christine Lahti as his patient and clever love interest and a solid character cast including Michael Lerner,Roma Maffia, Arthur Nascarella and many familiar TV series faces. Any father/son should see this movie. You will laugh and learn, and be wiser at the end.
Support Tribeca!!
Fantastic in Every Aspect
matthew-messina7 December 2008
This is a fantastic film. The performances are engaging and Oscar-caliber. The characters express so much more through their expressions than words ever could.
While this was made independently, it doesn't give the look or the feel of an independent movie. Every performance is spellbinding, particularly those of Christine Lahti, Chazz Palminteri, and Thomas Guiry.
The supporting cast is outstanding as well. Every character has a purpose and plays it to perfection. The relationship between father and son is examined in a different, yet honest environment.
I hope everybody will search out this movie. It is truly phenomenal.
While this was made independently, it doesn't give the look or the feel of an independent movie. Every performance is spellbinding, particularly those of Christine Lahti, Chazz Palminteri, and Thomas Guiry.
The supporting cast is outstanding as well. Every character has a purpose and plays it to perfection. The relationship between father and son is examined in a different, yet honest environment.
I hope everybody will search out this movie. It is truly phenomenal.
Great Film with Top Performances
Elieberman-114 January 2009
This is a great film with some really exceptional performances. I caught the film at TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL in April and like many audience members was intrigued to find out that actor Tom Guiry didn't have Down Syndrome. He was very believable in the role of Joe Jr and Chazz Palminteri and Christine Lahti were also amazing. The gambling scenes were different than anything I have seen before and were very suspenseful. The film also was full of emotion which left some audience members in tears at the end. In the Q and A with Director Bob Celestino, audience members were very enthusiastic about what they had seen and asked many questions that the director answered graciously. Someone asked if this story was based on someone as the director just looked at them and smiled which was kind of a mysterious way to end the Q and A. A great film. Go see it.
Great cast, great story, great directing, great movie!
wolf-17227 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
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.
A great character study about a father and his son
se7en18716 June 2008
I saw this at the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Michigan.
Yonkers Joe stars Chazz Palminteri as the title character, a great con artist who makes a lot of money from working the tables at casinos. He and his girlfriend Janice (Christine Lahti) have a pretty good life. But then Joe gets a call from an institution telling him that his son Joe Jr. (Tom Guiry) who has Down's Syndrome is being disruptive there and thus must be taken out. Joe doesn't know how to take care of his son and this new change in his life is ruining a lot of his plans and ways of making money. Over time, the father and son try to live with each other while at the same time try to help each other out.
This film had a great cast. Palminteri was wonderful as Yonkers Joe, a conflicted and confused parent who doesn't know how to take care of his troubled son. Lahti is a delight trying to play the role of the one that hopes to ease the tension and make Joe Jr. feel like he's welcome. And Tom Guiry is excellent and very believable as Joe Jr. Someone after the screening even asked the director if the actor who played Joe Jr. really had Down's Syndrome. Guiry gives a lot of depth to the character, making Joe Jr. both entertaining and emotional.
There are many clever moments throughout the film, all of the con acts are fun to watch. The dialogue is well written and the plot unravels nicely. The scenes in Las Vegas are also very well shot in all of the different locations.
With a talented cast and crew, Yonkers Joe is a great and enjoyable film that people she really look out for.
Yonkers Joe stars Chazz Palminteri as the title character, a great con artist who makes a lot of money from working the tables at casinos. He and his girlfriend Janice (Christine Lahti) have a pretty good life. But then Joe gets a call from an institution telling him that his son Joe Jr. (Tom Guiry) who has Down's Syndrome is being disruptive there and thus must be taken out. Joe doesn't know how to take care of his son and this new change in his life is ruining a lot of his plans and ways of making money. Over time, the father and son try to live with each other while at the same time try to help each other out.
This film had a great cast. Palminteri was wonderful as Yonkers Joe, a conflicted and confused parent who doesn't know how to take care of his troubled son. Lahti is a delight trying to play the role of the one that hopes to ease the tension and make Joe Jr. feel like he's welcome. And Tom Guiry is excellent and very believable as Joe Jr. Someone after the screening even asked the director if the actor who played Joe Jr. really had Down's Syndrome. Guiry gives a lot of depth to the character, making Joe Jr. both entertaining and emotional.
There are many clever moments throughout the film, all of the con acts are fun to watch. The dialogue is well written and the plot unravels nicely. The scenes in Las Vegas are also very well shot in all of the different locations.
With a talented cast and crew, Yonkers Joe is a great and enjoyable film that people she really look out for.
Well done Indie film
yogagalCO15 November 2008
I saw this film last night @ the Starz Denver Film Festival. My husband and I decided to see it @ the last minute after hearing rave reviews from a festival volunteer who had been to a screening earlier in the day. We were intrigued, having lived in Yonkers for 3 years and it is always a treat to see a film and meet the director afterwords @ the Q and A. We were not disappointed. The above comments do a good job of describing the film. Indeed, the viewer is drawn into the lives of these characters and it is refreshing to see a true Indie film as opposed to a big budget, Hollywood extravaganza. The acting is great-you will recognize many of the actors from more high profile films/TV. The lead, Guiry, was most recently a star of the ill-fated TV series "The Black Donneleys. The film has scenes in four cities: Yonkers, Atlantic City, Miami and Las Vegas. It is especially interesting to see Vegas from the point of view of a "regular" gambler as opposed to the highly glamorized view the film-goer gets from an "Oceans Eleven," for example. Christine Lahti is amazing in this film. Support independent film-making in the U.S. and go see it when it comes out!
Yonkers Joe is one of Best Movies I've seen in Years
SILVIO-1726 November 2008
I'm not kidding, I'm seriously speaking from the heart now. I went to a special screening of Yonkers Joe in Manhattan not to long ago. The lights went out, the movie began, I had a full tub of popcorn. My eyes wide open we're fixed on the screen as I placed popcorn in my mouth one kernel at a time. From the first frame to the last I was transfixed into the World of Yonkers Joe. Chazz Palminteri totally blew me away with his performance. The gambling scenes we're down right amazing, then Yonkers Joe's son came into the picture and it took the story to another level. Tom Guiry plays the son with Down Syndrome, Christine Lahti is Joe's girlfriend, Michael Lerner, Linus Roache, Michael Rispoli and Roma Maffia round off this stellar cast. I'm truly excited to see this film again when it's released in January. Kudos to all involved, a great film and a must see.
Really Classy
Maggie555451527 May 2009
This film has been criticized a lot for being "flat", "unsubstantial", containing "uncomfortable scenes" and featuring a character who's portrayed in an "exaggerated way". Well, it might be because Hollywood usually offers blockbusters with no real stories but standard hot-shot acting, endless car chasing, plane high-jacking and gun shooting scenes or fantastic high-tech effects in movies without a message and action line that can be summed up in one sentence. A non-mainstream oriented piece is hardly a match.
Why does it deserve 9 stars out of 10 then?
Number 1 - because it has a story to tell: the relationship between a father, who earns his money with inventing new ways of cheating the casinos across the country and a son, who has a Dawn syndrome; between a person who has never escaped the responsibility of caring for his child, but who can never find the right way to express it in person, and another one, who - although with mental problems - can express it better than anyone else. In this shortly presented scrap of a story you can find all the greatness and sadness of life and be pushed to think about what's really meaningful in it.
Number 2 - specifically because it features a character with a Dawn syndrome. People do feel uncomfortable during some of the scenes. Well, in this case, watch how the characters react, and learn. Because people with mental difficulties shouldn't be ignored, underestimated, laughed at or isolated. They might have difficulties in perceiving the world the way most of us do, and still they should be treated as an equal part of society, they should be thought of and cared about. The character of Tom Guiry is not over-acted. If you've ever communicated with a person suffering from a Dawn syndrome, you'd know. Just watch and learn.
Number 3 - because of the amazing gambling moves. That's the other part of the story - what the characters do is clearly unlawful, but you cannot help but sympathize with them for the sake of their potential of inventing and pulling off the tricks they do. Fun, simple, yet surprising and smooth.
Let me just add that the acting of everyone involved was on a quite good level - especially Tom Guiry who had the most difficult part. Chazz Palminteri, especially at the end, gives quite a touching performance that's contrasting to the usual image of a hit-man or a mafia guy he's mostly playing.
I watched the movie three times - the third, solely for the sake of the original music by Chris Hajian.
All in all, a classy, emotional and touching movie, worth watching.
Why does it deserve 9 stars out of 10 then?
Number 1 - because it has a story to tell: the relationship between a father, who earns his money with inventing new ways of cheating the casinos across the country and a son, who has a Dawn syndrome; between a person who has never escaped the responsibility of caring for his child, but who can never find the right way to express it in person, and another one, who - although with mental problems - can express it better than anyone else. In this shortly presented scrap of a story you can find all the greatness and sadness of life and be pushed to think about what's really meaningful in it.
Number 2 - specifically because it features a character with a Dawn syndrome. People do feel uncomfortable during some of the scenes. Well, in this case, watch how the characters react, and learn. Because people with mental difficulties shouldn't be ignored, underestimated, laughed at or isolated. They might have difficulties in perceiving the world the way most of us do, and still they should be treated as an equal part of society, they should be thought of and cared about. The character of Tom Guiry is not over-acted. If you've ever communicated with a person suffering from a Dawn syndrome, you'd know. Just watch and learn.
Number 3 - because of the amazing gambling moves. That's the other part of the story - what the characters do is clearly unlawful, but you cannot help but sympathize with them for the sake of their potential of inventing and pulling off the tricks they do. Fun, simple, yet surprising and smooth.
Let me just add that the acting of everyone involved was on a quite good level - especially Tom Guiry who had the most difficult part. Chazz Palminteri, especially at the end, gives quite a touching performance that's contrasting to the usual image of a hit-man or a mafia guy he's mostly playing.
I watched the movie three times - the third, solely for the sake of the original music by Chris Hajian.
All in all, a classy, emotional and touching movie, worth watching.
Fun, Interesting, and Sentimental
centralparknyc24 April 2008
Warning: Spoilers
They say "con artist" - yes, but it's about a gambler trying to beat the system. I think gambling makes it more interesting than just generic con artists. The son in the movie is portrayed with depth of character. If anyone is giving out awards, look no farther than Tom Guiry. He already has amassed an amazing list of credits. He plays a kid who has a poor relationship with his father. He has been sent away due to his Down Syndrome (forgive me if that is wrong). The father/son relationship is such a unique bond that you really feel for them. That's really the reason to see the movie. The gambling cons are just fun and creative. The writer/director does an amazing job of putting it all together and the cast is stellar.
Terrific film
johndeckbose21 July 2011
I watch about 30 movies a week. And this is the one movie in the last year that I have felt compelled to rave about.
Yonkers Joe is expert in every way. From the procedural con-man story to the heartfelt family tale. There is not a wrong note in the entire script.
I generally hate films that use developmentally impaired characters -- they are usually a storytelling shortcut to the pulling of heartstrings. In this film, I expected only that the need to pay for an expensive group home for his son would be the incentive for Chazz Palminteri to take an extraordinary risk. But writer-director Robert Celestino proved me wrong. Way wrong.
A very satisfying film on all levels, with great performances, smart economical dialog, clever plot maneuvers, and not a saccharin moment in the entire flick.
Yonkers Joe is expert in every way. From the procedural con-man story to the heartfelt family tale. There is not a wrong note in the entire script.
I generally hate films that use developmentally impaired characters -- they are usually a storytelling shortcut to the pulling of heartstrings. In this film, I expected only that the need to pay for an expensive group home for his son would be the incentive for Chazz Palminteri to take an extraordinary risk. But writer-director Robert Celestino proved me wrong. Way wrong.
A very satisfying film on all levels, with great performances, smart economical dialog, clever plot maneuvers, and not a saccharin moment in the entire flick.
Authentic gambling scenes carry this indie flick
gobigredAL19 May 2009
I re-watched Yonkers Joe for a third time.....the movie was double-themed with a mix of family drama (mainly father/son bonding) and high stakes gambling with a finale in Vegas.
Unlike some of the recent gambling movies, such as 21, the tricks in this flick are old-school and realistic. Not only does the main character Joe (Chazz) partake in horse and sports betting, but he is also a natural hustler at the local poker gatherings and dice tables. I thoroughly enjoyed the vintage Vegas scenes that were shot in the Fremont district.
I'm confident that those seeking action will find enough to satisfy their thirst, as memorable gambling scenes are sprinkled from start to finish. Movie viewers yearning for a quality family drama should find the re-uniting of Joe and his mentally challenged son to be enough. The characters bond begins in an awkward stage and slowly advances towards a new understanding and appreciation of the need for one another.
Check this movie out and you'll come away impressed.
Unlike some of the recent gambling movies, such as 21, the tricks in this flick are old-school and realistic. Not only does the main character Joe (Chazz) partake in horse and sports betting, but he is also a natural hustler at the local poker gatherings and dice tables. I thoroughly enjoyed the vintage Vegas scenes that were shot in the Fremont district.
I'm confident that those seeking action will find enough to satisfy their thirst, as memorable gambling scenes are sprinkled from start to finish. Movie viewers yearning for a quality family drama should find the re-uniting of Joe and his mentally challenged son to be enough. The characters bond begins in an awkward stage and slowly advances towards a new understanding and appreciation of the need for one another.
Check this movie out and you'll come away impressed.
a must see
jflashu12 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
this first part is in response to HANNAHPI ,go get a life ,to suggest that this film is not good is a personal slap in the face to me ,,, my friend ,,FASTJACK has a small part in this great movie ,,never seen before gambling scenes ,,some of the greatest character actors Hollywood can produce ,, great acting by CHAZZ AND COMPANY and for the director to put those gambling scenes on the silver
screen took a lot of inside knowledge and a pair of balls ,afterall ,that,s how i made my living ,,but ,,celestino ,,i forgive you for exposing those top professional secrets ,,, you made ,,,we few pros that are left ,,proud and supportive of your film ,,you see ,,,we ,,are jusr part of American folklore and glad we are out there now ,,,great job ,,MR , DIRECTOR ,,AND TO YOU HANNS ,,,GET A REAL LIFE.
screen took a lot of inside knowledge and a pair of balls ,afterall ,that,s how i made my living ,,but ,,celestino ,,i forgive you for exposing those top professional secrets ,,, you made ,,,we few pros that are left ,,proud and supportive of your film ,,you see ,,,we ,,are jusr part of American folklore and glad we are out there now ,,,great job ,,MR , DIRECTOR ,,AND TO YOU HANNS ,,,GET A REAL LIFE.
An extraordinary story of bonding, love, and special needs. A must see!
Len987627 January 2009
I think that Yonkers Joe (2008) is an excellent movie--well acted, well directed, well done! Tom Guiry is not guilty of overacting. He wants to show audiences that, as a person with special needs, he does not belong with his father. At the end of the movie, Joe, Jr. and his father hug, showing their deep love for one another. Joe, Jr. does not belong in his father's world. He has his own world. He has his own friends. In his own world, he can make love as a complete man, and does not have to apologize for his sexual thoughts, feelings, or actions. And, yes, his father is a gambler. Joe, Jr. has enough intelligence and intellect to be aware that his father's world will not give him want he needs and wants. But, his father allows his son to win at something. And, this is a moment of great pride and high self-esteem for Joe, Jr. He is able to show, in a very concrete way, just how much he loves his father. Joe, Jr. can now go into the world with his head held high. He loves his father, and does not care how he makes his living, just as long as he continues to win. Joe, Jr. shows infinite faith and great pride in his father. Joe, Jr.'s father is his son's hero, no matter what, and there is a strong bond between them--so strong that even gambling cannot destroy their resilient bond. In Joe Jr.'s eyes, his father is a giant--and is not a common, ordinary hood. Christine Lahti's supportive performance is as riveting, as the performances of the father and son. Superb! I rank this movie a 10 out of 10.
i,m sure that YONKERS JOE will be an Oscar nominee
upulucky29 July 2008
being a professional gambler for 40 years and seeing yonkers joe at the tribeca film festival i was blown away at watching palmenteri execute those amazing card and dice moves.although i,ve heard of cold decking and dice switching and was probably on the receiving end of both ,i was in awe .i also understand , through a reliable source that the gambling scenes are all based on fact and they truly happened .
the drama story was great and brought me to tears and laughter, with palmenteri ,lahti ,guiry ,rispoli and lerner ,it doesn,t get any better.
but ,once more ,i must say ,those gambling scenes were were over the top and i know that all those dice and card moves have never been seen on film before YONKERS JOE.for all you hold um and wanna be gamblers ,,YONKERS JOE is a must see film.amazing ,amazing amazing and i applaud all those involved with the making of YONKERS JOE.
the drama story was great and brought me to tears and laughter, with palmenteri ,lahti ,guiry ,rispoli and lerner ,it doesn,t get any better.
but ,once more ,i must say ,those gambling scenes were were over the top and i know that all those dice and card moves have never been seen on film before YONKERS JOE.for all you hold um and wanna be gamblers ,,YONKERS JOE is a must see film.amazing ,amazing amazing and i applaud all those involved with the making of YONKERS JOE.
The Antidote for Studio Films...
clsapienza30 December 2008
If the film industry forces another cookie cutter studio film down my throat, I'm going to scream! Another "Rush Hour 10" is simply not going to cut it. Yonkers Joe is the antidote for the hackneyed studio film. It is an entertaining picture that doesn't presume to insult the viewer's intelligence. At Tribeca, Writer/Director Robert Celestino was quoted as saying, "People will forgive you for making them think, but they'll never forgive you for boring them." Suffice it to say that Celestino is a man of his word! I thought that all of the acting was first rate (I especially enjoyed Christime Lahti's performance). Thank you for having the audacity to make a movie worth watching!
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