Watch A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints is a coming-of-age drama film released in 2006, directed and written by Dito Montiel. The film is adapted from Dito Montiel's memoir, which carries the same title. The film takes place in Astoria, Queens, New York City, and explores the life of Dito, a young writer who returns home to his old neighborhood in Queens.

The movie stars Robert Downey Jr., who plays the older version of Dito, the narrator of the story. Dito is haunted by memories from his past, and he is struggling with writer's block. In an attempt to find the inspiration he is so desperately searching for, he returns to his hometown. While there, he visits his old friends and his estranged father, Monty, played by Chazz Palminteri.

Lafayette High is where Dito attended school, and where he met his childhood friends, Antonio, played by Channing Tatum, Giuseppe, played by Adam Scarimbolo, and Nerf, played by Peter Tambakis. Rosario Dawson plays Laurie, Dito's childhood love interest, and Melonie Diaz plays her younger sister, Diane. Shia LaBeouf portrays young Dito, while Scott Michael Campbell plays Dito's older brother, Young Monty.

As Dito walks around the streets of his old neighborhood, he is reminded of his youth, full of pain and lost innocence. He remembers the struggles he and his friends faced, the poverty and the violence that surrounded them. The film explores the complex relationship between Dito and his father, Monty, who tries to control Dito's life in a way that suffocates him. Monty is a tough working-class father, and his relationship with Dito is volatile, to say the least. Dito's mother, Flori, played by Dianne Wiest, is Dito's anchor, the one person who offers him unconditional love and support.

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints is a powerful film that explores themes of family, friendship, loss, and love. The film is a raw and unflinching portrayal of growing up in a harsh and violent environment. It is a movie about self-discovery, redemption, and the power of forgiveness. It shows how the past can shape our present, and how the future is always within our reach.

The performances in the film are outstanding. Robert Downey Jr. delivers one of his most emotional performances, and Shia LaBeouf shows his acting abilities as young Dito. Rosario Dawson is excellent as Laurie, and Channing Tatum portrays the role of Antonio with great skill. The chemistry between the actors is palpable, and it is apparent that they put their heart and soul into their roles.

The film's direction is outstanding. Dito Montiel created a world that is authentic and raw. The cinematography is gritty and realistic, and it adds to the film's overall sense of realism. The use of flashbacks and voiceovers is masterfully done and fits the narrative perfectly.

The film's score is also worth mentioning. Composed by Jonathan Elias, the music adds to the movie's melancholic tone. It helps evoke the emotions that the characters are feeling, and it adds an extra layer of depth to the film.

In conclusion, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints is a powerful and emotional film that explores the complexities of growing up. It is a movie about love, loss, family, and how the past can shape our present. The performances are excellent, and the direction is outstanding. This movie will leave you wanting more, and it will stick with you long after the credits roll. It is a must-see for anyone who loves powerful and compelling storytelling.

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints is a 2006 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 67.