A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (DVD)
Starring Roberty Downey Jr., Shia LaBeouf, Chazz Palminterri, Rosario Dawson, & Channing Tatum

This is one of those goldmines in modern cinema. "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints," written, directed, and based on the book by Dito Montiel, tells the true-life story of life in Queens during an era of violence, racial prejudices, and hopeful teens. Dito's story is illustrated through the memories kept by his older self (Robert Downey Jr.) of his once innocent and naive teenage self (Shia LaBeouf). Dito, friends with the rumbling brawler Antonio, impeccably played by rising star Channing Tatum, is bombarded with mixed emotions and situations from every level of the playing field. Jealously of Antonio sets in when Dito's father, Monty (Chazz Palminteri), becomes quickly fond of the street hooligan. Love ignites between Dito and Laurie, a local girl played by Melanie Diaz in the past and Rosario Dawson in the present, who wants more than just puppy love and is led on by Dito's promises. A Puerto Rican gangster hits Queens as he graffittis the streets and terrorizes Dito and Antonio.

Dito's only mode of survival is escaping Queens. Hope finds its way into his life through a Scotish kid named Mike (Martin Compsten) who helps Dito find a job walking dogs and brings dreams of setting off for California. Dito is determined, but single-minded Monty thinks differently.

"Recognizing Your Saints" is explosively heartfelt, especially in the scenes between LaBeouf, Palmenterri and Tatum. This trio of talent grasps your insides and twists them around. Their portrayal of their characters is admirable and saddening that movies like this don't come around often. Downey Jr. and Palmenteri also have great on-screen caliber, when the older Dito comes back to Queens to take his sick and bullheaded dad to the hospital.

With wonderful performances for its supporting cast including Dawson, Diaz, Dianne Wiest, Anthony DeSando, and a long list of unknown talents, "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints," a paramount coming-of-age story, is not only one of the best movies of 2006, but one of the best I've ever seen.

Grade: A