A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints
by Dito Montiel
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Dianne Wiest, Melonie Diaz, Robert Downey Jr., Rosario Dawson, Shia LaBeoufDirector: Dito Montiel
Writer: Dito Montiel
Producer: Alex Francis
Producer: Amanda Mackey Johnson
Producer: Bobby Sager
Producer: Charlie Corwin
Producer: Clara Markowicz
Producer: Jonathan Elias
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Original Language); Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 100 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-02-20
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: First Look Pictures
Movie Reviews of A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints
Movie Review: Reconstructing Harry... I mean Dito
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm often impressed by how intricately 'New York back in the day' is recollected in films, and this one is no exception. Some really memorable and very authentic feeling scenes here.
What leaves a really nasty taste in my mouth, however, is how the writer/director/narrator uses the film to seemingly try to write himself back into the good graces of those he left behind and is now telling stories about. I'm pretty sure the old maxim of 'write what you know,' when applied narratively, only works for hindsight.
It's great if friends and family take you back after selling their stories to the tabloids or whatever, and sweet to try to lament your own shortcomings to make those you care about look better, but, at the end of the day, if you're going to write 'A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints,' it probably shouldn't be *you* that gets recognized and/or martyred.
Summary of A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints
A coming-of-age drama about a boy growing up in astoria ny during the 1980s. As his friends end up dead on drugs or in prison he comes to believe he has been saved from their fate by various so-called saints. Studio: First Look Home Entertain Release Date: 09/04/2007 Starring: Robert Downey Jr Chazz Palminteri Run time: 98 minutes Rating: RA film adaptation of Dito Montiel's memoir of the same name, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints is a compelling, thoughtful movie based on Montiel's childhood growing up in 1980s Queens. A writer and director who understands his limitations, Montiel wisely left the acting to the pros. Shia LaBeouf (Holes) plays him during his adolescence, while Robert Downey Jr. (Good Night, and Good Luck, Wonder Boys) portrays the grown-up Dito. Never mind that there is absolutely no physical resemblance between the two actors; LaBeouf and Downey are so convincing in their roles it doesn't matter. Switching effortlessly from present day (where Dito is a successful author) to the past (where he is a tough little kid trying to figure out if there is life beyond New York), A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints tackles Dito's complicated relationship with his parents (Chazz Palminteri and Dianne Wiest), as well as the friends he left behind. Eric Roberts is magnificent in a small role as one of Dito's tough, childhood buddies. His powerful performance makes viewers remember there was a time when Roberts was better known for his acting skills than for being Julia's big brother. Montiel--a first-time filmmaker--won the Director's Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival for his autobiographical movie. Raw, gritty, and honest, Saints) makes a strong impact and leaves the viewer curious as to how the rest of Montiel's life will work out. --Jae-Ha Kim
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