A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

Wow. I'm not sure if it is the fact that this week has been exhausting and makes me therefore more susceptible to crying or what, but this movie had me bawling several times and I HATE crying at any entertainment piece. In other words, this film is damn good.

Before I get into this film, let me just say I picked it up on a whim. I had heard mention of it once before. I knew it was an indie film that got little to no release. More importantly, I knew it contained Robert Downey Jr., aka Iron Man, who is ALWAYS outstanding despite whatever personal issues he might currently have. This was the key factor for my choosing this over Thank You for Smoking from the local Blockbuster 3 for 20$ line. That and I had already seen the latter. I found out later after the movie was over that the movie is loosely based off the book of the same name written by the same director/writer Dito Montiel. And for a guy who has no other film credits to his name, it's obvious that this guy has a passion for this story and that sometimes that's all you need to tell a story well.

The story starts with a writer named Dito Montiel, played by Robert Downey, beginning to read from his novel. The novel is based on his childhood and the people he used to hang out with back in the incredibly hot days of New York. As the story evolves, we see how it relates not only to his childhood, but also how it now affects his adult life as his father falls ill and he has to come back and revisit the family that e ran away from and try to right some of the wrongs caused by his early departure. At times, the story and loses some importance to how its told. For example, at a couple of pinnacle moments, the editing will become more apparent as the action gets broken up and snippets of what is happening is shown with a second of black in between creating a hazy montage of blurred action that portrays an emotion perfectly despite the hectic crazy-ness. The story is a tragedy at first and it evolves into a reconciliation story. It's beautifully portrayed and told as evidenced by the Best Director and Best Ensemble award from Sundance. It's an emotional powerhouse that I haven't seen since Crash. It's incredible.

As for the acting, now that I've butchered any telling of the story, is outstanding. Chazz Palminteri has never impressed me much. He has always come across in the past as the prototypical Italian and would play the Italian role well in whatever film he was inserted. Then again, to be fair, the previous roles he received were nowhere as meaty as this and he knocks down any old prejudices by shining and flaunting his acting ability in this film. Robert Downey plays his part well, but surprisingly his is not the hardest part nor is it that astounding. He has one or two good scenes, but essentially his part is just a walk-on in a lot of ways. And as much as Castle will hate this, Shia is damn good in this film. As the young Dito, Shia plays a lot of it just right. He's a confused kid trying to grow up and be one of the boys and at the same time desiring to leave and become something. The director Dito, (too many Ditos!) does an excellent job of directing all of the actors but Shia and Channing Tatum especially. Channing plays the young thug friend of Dito, Antonio, to whom the film is dedicated and he gets the brooding thuggery and mixed emotions of being tough while at the same time expressing his love and loyalty just right. In fact, all of the young actors are well directed, including Melonie Diaz who plays Dito's girlfriend, Adam Scarimbolo who plays Antonio's dejected and possibly mentally maligned younger brother, Peter Anthony Tambakis who plays the young ethnic Nerf,and even Martin Compston who plays Mike O'Shea, the young Scottish immigrant with big dreams who helps Dito to realize his potential. The performances are all outstanding and entwined. Despite all of the big names though, I am highly intrigued now by Anthony DeSando who plays Frank the dog walker. Man, he is amazing and what a great character to have to play. I cannot imagine a better introduction to a character in my life and when you see the film, which you WILL, you will understand. The acting is outstanding and it is obvious that the director knows exactly how he wants everything to go.

As for the lighting and cinematagrophy, well, it is all used to accent the acting of the actors. The one real slip up, is the occasional use of voice overs. At certain moments, seemingly random at times, the camera switches to documentary mode and has an actor address it as to who they are and what they think. It is not that distracting and it actually adds to the film by helping to clarify things occassionally, but it is a very interesting device and could be cleaned up some by putting it in more appropriate places. The editing is excellent and it changes into a more frantic scattered pace usually when some high emotional moment occurs. Hats off to the cinematographer and editor on a job well done.

Conclusion:
The acting, story, all aspects of the film are incredibly well done. The film isn't for everyone. It's a very personal look into the director's childhood and it does contain a lot of adult content in terms of violence and cursing and sexuality. But what the film has in spades that very few films now do, is heart. The brutish love of Antonio is heartbreaking and disgusting at the same time. The film is set in New York back in the older days of the blocks and it conveys that sense beautifully. I have nothing but good things to say about this film and its message about family and what it takes to be a real man. I will have to go read the book now. But you, well, watch this first then decide. I think you'll agree with me.

4.7 out of 5

Wannabe