Yonkers Joe

Chris Hajian

 
" A score that binds. "

Written by Alan Rogers - Review of the regular release

Director Robert Celestino's 2008 movie Yonkers Joe stars Chazz Palminteri as the eponymous Yonkers Joe, an average-rate professional gambler/hustler who makes his money from “working the tables” at casinos. Joe has a son who, up until now, has been cared for in a group home (he suffers from a Down's Syndrome-like condition). However, Joe Snr.'s world is disrupted when his son has to move back in with his father because of trouble at the residential home. Yonkers Joe documents Palminteri's character's struggle to care for his son, whilst at the same time, his plans to score “The Big One” in a high-stakes finale in Las Vegas. Previously having composed for the director's movie Mr. Vincent, New York-born composer Chris Hajian was called to provide a musical identity for Palminteri's character – both his gambler life and his responsibilities as a father – and to maintain a musical connection between these two parts.

Hajian's score uses piano, playing a simple descending motif, as a common thread that runs through the entire film, the motif moulding and varying within the context of various orchestrational choices and establishing the two different parts of Joe's life. The motif is given a good workout in the first track, “Joe's Idea”, with piano as well as strings taking turns with this recurring musical idea. The use of a synth ostinato and electric guitar gives adds a contemporary feel to the motif/theme. Tracks such as “Vegas”, “I Can Drop The Dice” and “Joey Saves The Day” run with this particular idea, with the latter track developing the contemporary setting furthest by utilising strong rhythms and drums, that adds a jubilant/celebratory twist. In contrast, by setting the recurring descending piano motif – this time using chords – alongside complimentary piano and string lines and having the ostinato played on pizzicato strings (rather than obvious synths), an emotional depth is added that (presumably) reflects the father/son relationship (e.g., “Getting The Call”, “I'm Not Giving Up”). The final track, “Leaving”, brings the emotional conclusion of the film to sharp focus: decisions played out on screen are given added weight by being supported by Hajian's measured score.

This score is clearly focusing on the emotional aspects of the film, but there are a few instances where the music does highlight the casino setting for some scenes. And it is here where the music does seem to tread where others have gone before (in musical terms). The use of jazz-style “caper music” rhythms on percussion and the prominent appearance of the double bass in tracks such as “The Cooler” and “The Switch” are reminiscent of a similar style used by Howard Shore in his score for the Robert De Niro/Edward Norton movie, The Score. Those familiar with Shore's score may find themselves being drawn out of the musical world established by Hajian. And this can be distracting. However, this is only a minor irritation that doesn't effect significantly the enjoyment of the rest of the score.

A recurring criticism of the movie itself is that the scenes featuring the portrayal of Yonkers Joe's gambling escapades and the father/son relationship don't fit together particularly well. I don't think that this is a criticism that can be levelled at Hajian's score. The composer's use of the piano as the central colour around which the remainder of the score is based binds the music together into an effective whole. The prominent use of ostinato together with the heavy reliance on the main motif/theme (with its variations) does mean that the score tends to play like a series of “mood setters” rather than acting as emotional maps to the scenes (save for particularly strong tracks such as “Leaving”). However, the score is never boring and the relatively short running time (just over 30 minutes) means that the music for Yonkers Joe is an enjoyable listen, showcasing the talents of a composer who, despite composing scores for numerous documentaries, TV and feature films, is still relatively unknown.

Track Listing

1. Joe's Idea (3.45)
2. The Drive Home (1.14)
3. The Back Room (1.55)
4. Strangers (1.22)
5. The Cooler (3.43)
6. Nowhere To Go (1.51)
7. The Clam Bake (2.23)
8. Vegas (1.12)
9. Getting The Call (2.10)
10. I'm Not Giving Up (1.46)
11. I Can Drop The Dice (2.06)
12. Joey Saves The Day (1.21)
13. The Switch (4.33)
14. Leaving (3.54)

Total Length: 33.22
(click to rate this score)  
 
  •  
(total of 6 votes - average 4.25/5)

Released by

Moving Picture Music MPM 41404 (regular release 2008)