A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints

Madman
Genre: Drama
Run Time: 96 Minutes
Rating: MA15+
Director: Dito Montiel
Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Shia LaBeouf, Chazz Palmintieri, Dianne Wiest, Channing Tatum, Rosario Dawson

Coming of age movies are nothing new these days, with many popping up in numerous genres. There’s the classics, such as Stand By Me and Mean Streets, which stand alongside more recent efforts such as American Pie and Almost Famous. Most times, we see the story coming from the eyes of the protagonist, which brings an added element of truth to the story. Novelist, musician and author Dito Montiel grew up in Astoria, Queens in the 80’s, and he makes his directorial debut with a film based on his memoirs, A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints.

Born and raised in New York, Montiel was a member of several punk bands and a fashion model for Versace, which was apparently detailed in his book. However, the film is primarily focused on his early relationships with his friends and parents, who helped shaped him as the person he is today.

The film opens with Montiel’s mother Flori ( Dianne Weist ) calling to tell him that his father Monty ( Chazz Palminteri ) is dying. Dito ( Robert Downey Jr. ) returns to his home town to face his demons. The narrative cuts back and forth from the present day 2005 to Astoria 1986, where a young Dito (played by Shia LaBeouf ) dreams of something better. His best friend Antonio ( Channing Tatum ) is a volatile presence. Brooding and angry, he is abused by his father and looks to Dito and Monty as his family. Dito’s on again/off again girlfriend Laurie ( Melonie Diaz ) also seems stuck in a dead end. Dito’s life seems to be limited to hanging out with his mates and girlfriend, picking fights with local thugs and getting into trouble. But all that changes when he meets Mike O’Shea ( Martin Compston of Sweet Sixteen fame), a Scottish kid who is unlike anyone Dito has met before. Mike too, has dreams of getting out and doing something with his life. The more Dito hangs out with Mike, the stronger his desire to get out of Queens and do something. Looking back at his childhood, Dito revisits his family, his friends and his old neighbourhood, seeing how things have changed, and how these ‘saints’ in his life pushed him in the right direction.

This is a film that draws heavily on film techniques from other movies. The gritty realism of Dito and his friends getting into trouble for no reason is reminiscent of Larry Clark and his portrait of American youth in Kids. But the difference here is, Dito knew he had to get away from his life. One of the earliest scenes in the film has Dito as an adult reading an excerpt of his book to an audience in California. Smoking a cigarette, the image of Robert Downey Jr. cuts to an image of Shia LaBeouf, who says bluntly… “My name is Dito and I’m going to leave everyone in this film”. There are other times when the characters actually speak directly to the camera, a technique often found in the works of Spike Lee. It’s this technique that makes the viewer feel somewhat detached from the story. We’re not taken on the journey with Dito and living it through his eyes, rather, we are watching it from about two steps behind him.

Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Sundance for the ensemble cast, it’s the kids who really shine in this film. The acting is all top notch, LaBeouf particularly impressing with his tortured soul, torn between leaving the ones he loves and living the life he wants. Channing Tatum is excellent as Antonio, troubled, intense and angry. Robert Downey Jr. has limited screen time, but the parallels between himself and LaBeouf as older and younger Dito are there. Melonie Diaz as Dito’s girlfriend and Martin Compston as his new friend Mike also leave a lasting impression. Dianne Weist and Chazz Palminteri play Dito’s parents with ease, showcasing their talents as parents who don’t realise that what they want for their son is not always the best thing. Rosario Dawson and Eric Roberts also make appearances as older versions of Laurie and Antonio.

Executive producer Sting and his wife, producer Trudie Styler may have had something to do with the rocking soundtrack. With acts from the 70’s and 80’s including Elton John, Player, Lou Reed, Cat Stevens and KISS, the film captures the essence of youth in a world on the wrong side of the tracks. Dito Montiel has made an impressive debut with this film. He’s managed to steer clear of turning this movie into an ego exercise. Yes, it’s his story, but our hero doesn’t always have to live happily ever after. That’s what I liked most about the film – the restraint in which Montiel told his story. Overall, an impressive debut. 4 out of 5.

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