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IMDbPro

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

  • 20062006
  • RR
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
26K
YOUR RATING
Shia LaBeouf, Peter Anthony Tambakis, Adam Scarimbolo, and Channing Tatum in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
Home Video Trailer from First Look Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:28
1 Video
61 Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
The movie is a coming-of-age drama about a boy growing up in Astoria, New York during the 1980s. As his friends end up dead, on drugs, or in prison. He comes to believe he has been saved fro... Read allThe movie is a coming-of-age drama about a boy growing up in Astoria, New York during the 1980s. As his friends end up dead, on drugs, or in prison. He comes to believe he has been saved from their fates by various so-called saints.The movie is a coming-of-age drama about a boy growing up in Astoria, New York during the 1980s. As his friends end up dead, on drugs, or in prison. He comes to believe he has been saved from their fates by various so-called saints.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
26K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Dito Montiel
  • Writer
    • Dito Montiel(book)
  • Stars
    • Robert Downey Jr.
    • Rosario Dawson
    • Shia LaBeouf
Top credits
  • Director
    • Dito Montiel
  • Writer
    • Dito Montiel(book)
  • Stars
    • Robert Downey Jr.
    • Rosario Dawson
    • Shia LaBeouf
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 101User reviews
    • 101Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 8 wins & 9 nominations

    Videos1

    A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints
    Trailer 2:28
    A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints

    Photos61

    Shia LaBeouf in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
    Shia LaBeouf, Peter Anthony Tambakis, Adam Scarimbolo, and Channing Tatum in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
    Robert Downey Jr. in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
    Channing Tatum in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
    Robert Downey Jr. in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
    Robert Downey Jr. and Dianne Wiest in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
    Melonie Diaz and Shia LaBeouf in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
    Melonie Diaz, Eleonore Hendricks, and Laila Liliana Garro in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
    Robert Downey Jr. in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
    Channing Tatum in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
    Shia LaBeouf and Martin Compston in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
    Robert Downey Jr. in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert Downey Jr.
    Robert Downey Jr.
    • Dito
    Rosario Dawson
    Rosario Dawson
    • Laurie
    Shia LaBeouf
    Shia LaBeouf
    • Young Dito
    Dianne Wiest
    Dianne Wiest
    • Flori
    Melonie Diaz
    Melonie Diaz
    • Young Laurie
    Laila Liliana Garro
    Laila Liliana Garro
    • Diane
    • (as Julia Garro)
    Eleonore Hendricks
    Eleonore Hendricks
    • Jenny
    Adam Scarimbolo
    Adam Scarimbolo
    • Guiseppe
    Peter Anthony Tambakis
    Peter Anthony Tambakis
    • Young Nerf
    • (as Peter Tambakis)
    Channing Tatum
    Channing Tatum
    • Young Antonio
    Anthony Tirado
    • Street Corner Puerto Rican
    • (credit only)
    Erick Rosado
    • Puerto Rican Van Driver
    Steve Payne
    • Beach Chair Guy
    • (as Steven Payne)
    Chazz Palminteri
    Chazz Palminteri
    • Monty
    Tibor Feldman
    Tibor Feldman
    • Teacher
    Martin Compston
    Martin Compston
    • Mike O'Shea
    Marc Castle
    • Drunken Man in Subway
    Steven Randazzo
    Steven Randazzo
    • Token Clerk
    • (as Stephen Randazzo)
    • Director
      • Dito Montiel
    • Writer
      • Dito Montiel(book)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Writer and director Dito Montiel was reluctant to cast Shia LaBeouf in the role of young Dito because Montiel was intent on casting an unknown. After the first rejection, however, LaBeouf pushed for one more audition. He came into the casting office, punched a hole in the wall, and convinced Montiel that he could bring the requisite amount of anger to the role.
    • Goofs
      In the 1980s scenes on the subway, scanning the rooftops, you can see many cellphone towers.
    • Quotes

      Dito: In the end - just like I said - I left everything, and everyone. But no one, no one has ever left me.

    • Crazy credits
      At the very end of the credits, after the logo graveyard, there is a short bit with the real Monty.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: The Prestige/Flicka/Marie Antoinette/A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      Native New Yorker
      Written by Denny Randell and Sandy Linzer (as Sally Linzer)

      Performed by Odyssey

      Courtesy of The RCA Records Label

      By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment

    User reviews101

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Emotionally honest
    What kind of writer reveals his troubled childhood, then directs a semi-autobiographical film about it, using a character with his own name? Bold, foolish or maybe both, that's exactly what Dito Montiel did.

    Reminiscent of Larry Clark's Kids in Manhattan, it depicts adolescents growing up in a tough neighbourhood, in the borough of Queens. For some of these youth, the dangers lay not just on the streets, but also in their own homes. Dito only knew he had to get away.

    At first the film is a little difficult to watch visually – the editing and hand-held camera are abrupt. As the film develops, and the story shifts into the present, it becomes evident that this was a deliberate device to depict the nature of recollection. As Dito makes the journey across the continent to visit the ill father he hasn't seen in 15 years, a montage of childhood memories flood his mind.

    A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints at times is not an easy film to watch but is more accessible than Kids. Both films depict the dangers faced by adolescents. While Kids depicted the consequences of those dangers, this film portrays how one boy escapes from them, but ultimately needs to confront and reconcile his past.

    The performances in the film are strong. The actors are all very credible. The dialogue is saturated with authenticity. Melonie Diaz, who previously appeared in Raising Victor Vargas, beautifully portrayed Dito's childhood girlfriend Laurie. Rosario Dawson plays the grown up Laurie, and incidentally made her film debut in Kids.

    Producer Robert Downey Jr. who encouraged Montiel to make the film, was excellent in an understated role as the adult Dito. The transition of actors between 1986 and the present was depicted effectively. Special mention to Chazz Palminteri, who always has a strong but unforced screen presence.

    A film made with a small budget, it pays off with a strong, emotionally powerful and worthwhile story. I was surprised how the emotional impact crept up towards the end, as Dito dealt with his past as best he could.

    This film is highly recommended for those who enjoy human drama in shades of grey. There's no good guy/bad guy thing happening here. It's people dealing with the hand that destiny has given them, and trying to find their way. It is full of emotional honesty and plausibility that you can buy into. And don't leave until after the final credits.
    helpful•88
    4
    • paulmartin-2
    • Nov 20, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 13, 2006 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Tus santos y tus demonios
    • Filming locations
      • Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Belladonna Productions
      • Truly Original
      • Xingu Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $517,809
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $94,784
      • Oct 1, 2006
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,035,468
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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