A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
Torn between his ill father, his domineering friend and protector Antonio, the neighborhood war and the lustful temptations of youth, Dito struggles against his desire to escape, running away from everything he knows.
  • Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Shia LaBeouf
  • Directed by: Dito Montiel
  • Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Release year: 2006
  • Studio: Millennium Entertainment
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Product Details
Synopsis: Torn between his ill father, his domineering friend and protector Antonio, the neighborhood war and the lustful temptations of youth, Dito struggles against his desire to escape, running away from everything he knows.
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Shia LaBeouf
Supporting actors: Channing Tatum, Rosario Dawson, Chazz Palminteri, Dianne Wiest
Directed by: Dito Montiel
Genre: Crime, Drama
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
Release year: 2006
Studio: Millennium Entertainment
MPAA Rating: Rated R for pervasive language, some violence, sexuality, and drug use
ASIN: B00285C9V8 (Rental) and B0017SQJ9U (Purchase)
Rights & Requirements
Rental rights: 3 day viewing period Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Compatible with: Mac and Windows PC online viewing, compatible instant streaming devices, TiVo DVRs. System requirements
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)
Also available on DVD
Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: October 13, 2006
  • MPAA: Rated R for pervasive language, some violence, sexuality, and drug use
  • Production Company: Belladonna Productions, Original Media, Xingu Films
  • Filming Locations: Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 37 people found the following review helpful
They Walk Among Us October 4, 2006
Recalling your childhood can be a slippery slope: you can choose to glaze over the bad and present an imaginary world in which very little is based on reality or you can choose to tell it like it is or was.

Whether or not Dito Monteil scrimps on the bad in his film of his autobiography, "A Guide to Recognize Your Saints" is very doubtful because this film is at turns brutal, violent, emotionally poignant and difficult and many scenes are so truthful that they are almost impossible to watch.

There is also much beauty here: scenes of Love: Dito (a truly amazing Shia LeBeouf in a career making performance) and his father (the great Chazz Palminteri) in the bathroom after Dito's friend is killed, a grown up Dito (Robert Downey Jr.) and his mother (a tragic, loving, disappointed Dianne Wiest) on the porch stoop discussing Dito's friend Antonio (a terrific Channing Tatum )...these scenes form the emotional center of the film around which all the others rotate and draw strength from.

"AGTRYS" is ultimately a story of friendship among 5 boys (Dito, Antonio, Mike, Joey and Nerf): all desperately poor, all full of pride and bravado and all full of emotional and sexual fire with very few ways to diffuse and direct it.

Dito Monteil has created a thoughtful, emotional and heartfelt film, a memoir really, about his childhood and the people that were most important to him at that time. It truly is about the everyday Saints and Angels that people our lives and because it is set in a slum in no way diminishes its beauty and grandeur.
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By e. liza
Format:DVD
I saw "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints" at the 2006 Sundance festival and I was blown away. If it's rough and imperfect, it's successfully so; its quirks complement the youthfully wild and tragic themes of this artfully presented memoir. Part of what made the film for me was Dito Montiel's apparent sense of humor in dealing with his past. "AGTRYS" is an infusion of sex, tragedy, violence, and uplifting spirit. I left the theatre feeling great and I've been searching desperately for the DVD ever since. Try it!
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This well-made film has galvanizing performances by a young, energetic cast and some wonderful turns by veteran performers, Dianne Wiest and Chazz Palminteri (plus a cameo by Eric Roberts). The cinematography and editing create a constantly kinetic and agitated style of storytelling. The viewer is propelled between past and present, as the central character, Dito, lives and relives the experience of being a teenager 25 years ago on the mean streets of Queens. Based on the memoir of Dito Montiel (who also wrote and directed), the film covers ground we have seen in many other films: coming of age in a working class Italian-American neighborhood, where street talk is rough, violence is everywhere (both in and out of the home), and just getting through childhood alive is a major achievement.

Some viewers may wonder whether Robert Downey, Jr., is the right fit for the role he plays, but if you're a fan, you won't mind his portrayal of a perplexed and troubled man thrust into the position of making amends with a dying father who seems to have loved another man's son more deeply than his own. The DVD has a commentary by the director, an informative making-of featurette including interviews with cast members and the director, plus other material.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great Visual Style
This depiction of harsh times in the Bronx is portrayed with perfection! I thought the performances from LaBeouf and Tatum were amazing! Read more
Published 7 days ago by Benjamin Svetkey
Great Movie
This is one of the great movies that I have seen in a very long time.. Actually has a good story line and the actors that were chosen were great as well :) I would def recommend... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Dana Miyoung Song
One of the WORST movies I have ever watched
Caveat Emptor. I can only blame myself for picking up this dog-of-a-movie at a Blockbuster store that was going out of business last year. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Vivacior
Brooklyn. New York-a very traditional view
With no explanations banned de facto recently, 4/25/12, from communicating with readers directly, I correct this review in accordance with a tomato-public message:

"A... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Michael Kerjman
Wrong "great expectations"
Well, that's what I felt about this movie: Great expectations went unsatisfied. I was expecting maybe too much from this movie after having been told about it, and also Robert J. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Van Gogh
Lots of foul language, not much else
A Guide was unbearable from beginning to end. The DVD cover is misleading--neither Dawson or Downy got much time on screen. Read more
Published 9 months ago by J. Davis
Wow,Where to Begin?
As Antonio says to Dito at the end of the film, I have so much to say but I don't know where to begin. Read more
Published 9 months ago by SanDiegoJesse
not bad, needs more R.D. Jr, less of the young cats
Pretty good movie. Too much of the younger characters and not enough of the older Downy Jr. Nonetheless, they're not going to remake the movie so as it is, pretty good if you are... Read more
Published 10 months ago by moyo47
Prepare for subtle intensity!
This movie was pretty good and had a very interesting way of telling the main character's true life story. Read more
Published 12 months ago by jilliannie
BAD BOY
Since this movie is base in a true life story, is a very talented and performed true events in new york city, LOVE this movie.
Published 13 months ago by badboy
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