A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints [2006]

See Larger Image	List Price: £15.99 Our Price: £5.98 Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours Manufacturer: Revolver Entertainment Starring: Channing Tatum, Shia LaBeouf, Robert Downey, Chazz Palminteri, Dianne Wiest Directed By: Dito Montiel Average Customer Rating:


Audience Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over Binding: DVD EAN: 5060018488943 Format: PAL Label: Revolver Entertainment Manufacturer: Revolver Entertainment Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Revolver Entertainment Region Code: 2 Release Date: 2007-07-02 Running Time: 100 Studio: Revolver Entertainment Theatrical Release Date: 2006
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Editorial Reviews: A 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
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: A guide for recognising your saints Comment: One of the most powerful and moving films i've seen in a long long while. Downey junior, and in particular Shia leBoef really truly show their talent in outstandng performances and unbelievable emotionality in their acting. A must have. Customer Rating: Summary: Deserving some recognition Comment: I must say i was surprised to find that this film had such a mediocre rating on amazon, considering it really is a decent film. I also expected multiple reviews comparing it to the book, and as with many adaptations, ripping into it but no, mostly just simpletons saying they couldn't get into it. I actually found that i couldn't look away, forgot i had work in the morning and stayed up late to watch it all, which despite the lacking ending, kept me drawn in throughout and made me look it up here to buy it, and eventually rate it. Too many people compare this to a bronx tale, and shouldn't, because this is completely bloody different! Just watch it, its got memorable scenes, quality actors and a story that flows along smooth. good stuff. Customer Rating: Summary: Watchable but not memorable Comment: I had high expectations of this film. The blurb on the DVD compared it to Bronx Tale (one of my favourite films) and it had a number of high profile stars in the cast. I have to say I was disappointed. The story was patchy for the first hour of the film, and it was plain boring in parts. Another problem was the dialogue. English viewers may find they need to watch alot of it with subtitles because the accents of the actors are so thick! However, the film picked up in the second half and by the end, I was almost interested. If you haven't seen it already, you'd almost certainly prefer Bronx Tale by a good distance. Customer Rating: Summary: Loved it (but I've yet to read the book). Comment: I've read some mixed reviews on here but I took a chance and trusted those who said it was worth a watch. Don't know what it was, maybe the time was right, maybe there are elements of my own teenage years that I relived emotionally whilst watching the film or maybe I was just in the right frame of mind to get the maximum hit from this movie. All I know is that I absolutely loved it. I found the story very moving with some touching performances from all the actors involved. The soundtrack is a must for anyone who enjoyed the music of the late 70's / early 80's. At £5 it's worth taking the chance. Customer Rating: Summary: A superior coming of age tale Comment: Despite what is a slightly pretentious title, the autobiographical A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints turns out to be a superior coming of age tale, in which the father (a good man in bad place) is the affectionately portrayed hero; trapped, helpless but pragmatic and ever the positive role model. More Reviews