Plot Dito is growing up on the tough streets of Astoria, N.Y. in the 1980s and is convinced that his avoidance of prison, drugs and death is due to a variety of saints protecting him.
Since Mean Streets, the whiteboys-in-the-hood scenario has mainly centred on the pitfalls of crime and codes of honour. Though this features both, author Dito Montiel’s directing debut is more about growing up and leaving people behind. While ambitiously set in two time zones, the past comprises the bulk of Montiel’s autobiopic, with superb performances by Shia LaBeouf as his younger self and Martin Compston as his tearaway Scottish pal.
The framing device, as the older Montiel (Downey Jr.) returns to visit his sick father, is a little earnest, but the cast hit their notes precisely, lending the film an affecting air of reflection.
Verdict Ambitious coming-of-age drama, this may hit a false note here or there but the performances are magnetic.
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Average user rating for A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints Review
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints is a lively, powerful coming-of-age tale with winning performances and sharp direction from first-timer Dito Montiel. ... More
Very surprised he didn't mention Channing Tatum, the best thing about it. ... More
Posted by Tyler_Durden at 20:40, 02 August 2009 | Report This Post
This is the kind of movie you fall in love with on the first watch. The characters and their struggles are realistic. The Downey Jr. segments really anchor the film and provide the emotion. Must see ... More
Posted by reejctell at 21:27, 27 November 2008 | Report This Post
true and, well, okay i guess
Abosoloutly NOTHING is perfect about this film ok?
Its ok, but i suppose you cant call it a bad story/film cos its true, but still, it wasnt that good.
ok, i guess ... More
Posted by JaCkT794 at 23:35, 27 September 2008 | Report This Post
true and, well, okay i guess
Abosoloutly NOTHING is perfect about this film ok?
Its ok, but i suppose you cant call it a bad story/film cos its true, but still, it wasnt that good.
ok, i guess ... More
Posted by JaCkT794 at 23:35, 27 September 2008 | Report This Post
A brilliant movie.
Stunning performances, excellent directing, beautiful photography and marvelous screenplay. It's simply one of those movies that you see and see again but you know you will find something new that will touch deep inside you. This movie is a masterpiece. Great Movie. Shia LaBeouf really know how to act, man. Oscar-worthy movie. A perfect drama. Beautiful. ... More
the great thing about this film is its realism. the camera work between agruments and the sweating. Shia was great but how could you forget Channing!? I'd give this 4 stars. It would've been 5 but Downey JR just ruined it i reckon. Just read the book i guess. ... More
Posted by darrenlam0121 at 22:16, 28 March 2008 | Report This Post
cracking
hot summers eh? got a lot to answer for. Cracking performances by all. ... More
Posted by steviemcc23 at 23:00, 04 February 2008 | Report This Post
Not Bad But Brutal.
Shia Labeouf is at this moment one of my hot fave actors and he totally shines in this movie. He can hold it all on his own, showing charsima and true acting. The others in it are top-notch, even Robert Downey Jr is back in his finest. Though it's quite a lot of swearing and very brutal scenes, this must be a deep and moving piece of film I've seen in a long while. ... More
Posted by joanna likes films at 14:50, 01 February 2008 | Report This Post
A really excellent film that covers a young New Yorker from the worst part of the city growing up and leaving it, then returning in his adult years to the past haunts and friends/ family he has erased from his life.
This is the first film by Dito Montiel, the film is autobiographical to his life and uses him as a teen as the lead (with Shi LaBeouf taking the role, heb is fucking excellent, so watchable and def one of the best new actors I have seen), with a great Robert Downey jnr acting as... More
I didn't connect with it at all, and found it un- engaging. The same New York story about growing up and friendship has been told so many times, and with more flair. The characters were caricatures, and the actng was of the standard of your average TV drama. And Shia La Beouf has no sceen presence! I really hope he's not Indiana Jones' son in the new film, but suspect he is... ... More
It doesn't matter that this is a fictional story, it's still a bloody good film.
Excellent performances from everyone, this is a film that's funny in some places, extremely violent in others.....hell of a film for a first-time writer/director. I enjoyed it so much I can't wait for the DVD. ... More
Posted by VincentHanna at 00:15, 12 March 2007 | Report This Post
it was pretty damn good in parts, but attimes it was a bit pretentious ... More
Posted by moviemaniac2 at 22:24, 06 March 2007 | Report This Post
its not half bad - although i'm lost, empires review mentions some random thiings (ie 'convinced that a variety of saints are protecting him' - that is rubbish there was no mention of that in the plot; also his 'tearaway' scottish pal is hardly the tearaway, more the token voice of reason.
anyway, so Damon Wise hasn't actually seen the movie, still it's worth watching - not sure about the casting for the adults, Downey Jr in particular, who I love, just doesnt seem the one to play the adult D... More
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