A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)

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.

Director:

Dito Montiel

Writers:

Dito Montiel (book), Dito Montiel

Stars:

Robert Downey Jr., Rosario Dawson, Shia LaBeouf

7 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dianne Wiest	...	Flori
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Dito
Shia LaBeouf	...	Young Dito
Melonie Diaz	...	Young Laurie
Laila Liliana Garro	...	Diane (as Julia Garro)
Eleonore Hendricks	...	Jenny
Adam Scarimbolo	...	Guiseppe
Peter Anthony Tambakis	...	Young Nerf (as Peter Tambakis)
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	...	Monty
Tibor Feldman	...	Teacher
Martin Compston	...	Mike O'Shea

Storyline

Dito, a writer in L.A., goes home to Astoria, Queens, after a 15-year absence when his mother calls to say his father's ill. In a series of flashbacks we see the young Dito, his parents, his four closest friends, and his girl Laurie, as each tries to navigate family, race, loyalty, sex, coming of age, violence, and wanting out. A ball falls onto the subway tracks at a station, small things get out of hand. Can Dito go home again?

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Plot Keywords:

friend | coming of age | subway track | astoria queens | subway | 

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Taglines:

Queens, New York, 1986. Sometimes the only way forward, is back.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language, some violence, sexuality, and drug use

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

13 October 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tus santos y tus demonios

Filming Locations:

Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$94,784, 1 October 2006, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$516,139, 19 November 2006

Company Credits

Production Co:

Belladonna Productions, Original Media, Xingu Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

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Goofs

The song "New York Groove" is incorrectly credited to KISS. While he was a member of KISS at the time, and while KISS performed this song during their tours in the late 70's and early 80's, the song is actually from Ace Frehley's 1978 self titled solo album.

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Quotes

Guiseppe: My name is Guiseppe and I'm Antonio's brother.

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Crazy Credits

For Antonio.

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Connections

Referenced in Chelsea Lately: Episode #6.45 (2012)

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Soundtracks

Trouble
Written by Cat Stevens (as Yusuf Islam)
Performed by Cat Stevens
Courtesy of Island Records Limited
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Powerful and heartfelt look at an often violent past

I recently saw a screening of "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints" without any prior knowledge of the subject matter or cast, which I am beginning to believe might be the best idea before seeing many of the smaller films out there. Reminiscent of "Goodfellas" and "Kids," a gritty coming-of-age story that packs a powerful punch with star Shia LaBeouf delivering a heart- breaking performance. This film is not to be missed and should be a strong contender come awards season. Director and writer Dito Montiel obviously draws from the likes of Martin Scorsese as he paints Queens, New York in a light only familiar to those who grew up deep in the heart of it. "Saints" elicits both tears and laughter, often within moments of each other while keeping the audience on the edge of their seats the entire time. Topping off this walk down memory lane, Montiel incorporates a stellar soundtrack mostly from the 70's, which feels right even though most of the story takes place in the mid 80's.