Slumdog to Saint - but the sting in this tale is all but lacking (A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints (DVD))

Member Name: JJJJ

Product:	A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints (DVD)
Date:	29/10/09 (134 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The opening hour makes for interesting viewing

Disadvantages: Ending Peters Out

'A Guide to Recognising Your Saints' is the filmic autobiography of first time director Dito Montiel, who grew up on the mean streets of New York in the 1980's.

My title refers to the fact that Sting (a.k.a Gordon Sumner) was the executive producer of this movie, and Robert Downey Jr (as well as taking a place in the cast) was also heavily involved with the production.

Taking the form of a coming-of-age drama, the story focuses primarily on Dito's teenage life and his relationship with those around him. Dito (Shia LaBeouf) dreams of becoming a musician and traveling away from the violent and dilapidated setting which forms his neighborhood. Dito's friend 'Antonio' (Channing Tatum) is an especially hot tempered and macho youth who, although having Dito's interests at heart, is ultimately a destructive force in the life of the young Italian-American.

When Scottish newcomer 'Mike' (Martin Compston) arrives on the scene, Dito finally has someone who shares his vision of a better life - but will he ever be able to realise his dreams?

A Guide to Reconising Your Saints is certainly gritty in its portrayal of New York street life, and the atmospheric cinematography which focuses on the graffiti-laden buildings and slum-like settings, helps emphasise the difficulties which one might encounter when growing up in such a location. The only values which seem to be held dear are revenge, and living by the sword - even Dito's own father Monty (Chazz Palminteri) is an advocate of retribution.

The movie utilises an unusual narrative which jumps back and forth from the early eighties to the current day, in which Robert Downey Jr takes on the role of Dito. Through no fault of his own, the scenes featuring Downey Jr are a little dull in comparison to the ones featuring LaBeouf - probably because all the action is taking place in the early days, leaving the Downey Jr sequences to tie up all the loose ends.

Although it's generally a realistic and frank portrayal of the harsh realities of life, there are some entertaining moments in the film which generally stem from the unusual characters who inhabit the area. The delightfully camp dog walker 'Frank' (Anthony DeSando) is brilliant, adding some much needed comic relief to proceedings. The scene in which DeSandro is listening to 'Baker Street' on his huge 80's headphones whilst stoned, is a joy to watch and brilliantly acted.

Where the film really shines is in its performances, which for the most part feel authentic and heartfelt. I'm generally not a big fan of Shia LaBeouf, but here, I have to say that his performance is excellent. Dito is a character who is somewhat torn between what he wants from life, and Lebeouf puts in an emotional portrayal. Similarly Channing Tatum is rather good as Antonio, who is basically a volatile time-bomb waiting to explode - he brings about a sense of menace an unpredictability to the role, which keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat.

Dito's love interest 'Laurie' is a young Puerto Rican who spots the troubles that her boyfriend is facing, and wants to begin a new life with him in California. Diaz' performance is commendable, although the character becomes a little stale when the role is taken over later in the film by Rosario Dawson - again, it's not Dawson's fault, just the result of a directionless final section of the film.

Although it's a gritty and watcheable movie featuring excellent performances, A Guide to Recognising Your Saints sufferers from an over ambitious screenplay which doesn't really go anywhere. The result is in an excellent first hour which is let down by its sloppy final half. The ending merely peters out, rather than being crowned with a fitting conclusion, and the acting talent of Robert Downey Jr certainly isn't utilised. Recommended nevertheless as an interesting and occasionally gripping look at life on the streets.

Lead Roles
- - - - - - -
Robert Downey Jr. - Dito
Shia LaBeouf - Young Dito
Rosario Dawson - Laurie
Melonie Diaz - Young Laurie
Channing Tatum - Young Antonio
Chazz Palminteri - Monty
Martin Compston - Mike O'Shea
Anthony DeSando - Frank the Dog Walker

The DVD version of A Guide to Recognising Your Saints can currently be purchased for £9.98 from Amazon.

Summary: Slumdog to Saint