A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

2006
15
1h 40m

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

27K

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

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Crime Drama

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... Read allComing-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.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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

27K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 8 wins & 9 nominations

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

Marc Castle

Drunken Man in Subway

Steven Randazzo

Token Clerk
(as Stephen Randazzo)

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Storyline

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Did you know

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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 Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: The Prestige/Flicka/Marie Antoinette/Flags of Our Fathers/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 reviews103

Review

Featured review

10/10

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.