Indie Spotlight – A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

Posted by Matt Rosenberg on July 7, 2009 at 12:10 am

In this riveting story about life in Queens in the 1980′s, “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints” proves to be a nostalgic recap of why a person would choose to leave home. The movie has an all-star cast including Robert Downey Jr., Shia LaBeouf, Channing Tatum, Chazz Palminteri, Dianne West, Rosario Dawson, and Melonie Diaz. The film is written and directed by Dito Montiel

(Fighting) who also adapted this autobiography of his life from book to film.

The film takes place through eyes of Dito, an angry and frustrated boy living in Queens, who begins to realize that his current dead-end life is full of violence, grief and boredom. His curiosity to expand his realm of reality leads to him befriend a new kid in school, much to the dismay of his extremely intense best friend Antonio. His mother and father (Palminteri and West) treat Antonio as a second son and consider all the boys members of the family. The movie flips back and forth between the 1980′s and present day as we see the life of young and old Dito (Downey and LaBeouf) make more sense. Also, the young relationship between LaBeouf and Diaz is one of the most intriguing aspects of the film as well. Overall, this movie excels in its storytelling ability and the emotional connection you develop for each character.

Last week in my Shia LaBeouf A-Lister post Blindman full movie The Lazarus Child divx , I wrote that “The Greatest Game Ever Played” was Shia LaBeouf’s star quality coming-out party. He really did carry that movie. Well if that movie was the first display of his star quality, “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints” is the first film that shows Shia’s long range acting ability. He doesn’t have to run aimlessly from robots or bullets here, instead he has to emotionally carry the film. His character Dito is the focal point of the film as every other character (Tatum, Diaz, Palminteri, West) develops off their love for him. If Shia wasn’t believable, then this film stinks because the rest of the cast would just look awkward. That was really how important his role was, and I am here to say that he succeeds. LaBeouf is an excellent actor.

The IMDB trivia portion of the film tells us that originally, Dito Montiel did not want LaBeouf for the role; he was set on casting an unknown. However, after LaBeouf demanded a second audition, he stormed into the room, punched a hole in the wall, and convinced Montiel he could bring a raw and angry element to the character. Additionally, if you look into Dito Montiel’s resume you will see that all his movies star Channing Tatum. Film insider also tells The Movie Banter that the two are very good friends. Montiel directed this past year’s “Fighting” which also featured Channing.

Th film is unmistakenly acted from the heart. The ensemble put on an emotionally captivating performance that make you feel like you’re living in the humid Summer of Queens, New York with them. You can also feel the built up anger that Downey shows as he questions why he is coming home.

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Check out “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints” on DVD.

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