A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS

Wow. I am blown away. This is an incredibly powerful and mesmerizing film. So much so that I saw it twice this weekend. I don't do that often. Usually the second time I will pick up on more editing errors and the like, but found none. This film is very well written and directed by first timer Dito Montiel. He portays personal characters that stick with you and stir your emotions. The acting is as perfect as can be. Nobody misses a beat, and the performances are all around stunning.

Dito Montiel obviously had a powerful story to tell. His book, of the same name, was well received and praised for its accurate depictions of the streets of New York in the 1980's. Book to film adaptations are often so far off from the point of the book because they leave too much out or put too much in. Because Montiel adapted his own film, the vision stayed true. No topic in the film seems to just be touched on the surface, and none of the scenes feel like they should not be there. The film flows so beautifully and never lets up.

One of the most intriguing parts to me is the scenes where there are numerous editing cuts that overlap so you see the same thing happening two slightly different ways. This seems like an attempt by Montiel to show that we don't always remember exactly how the scenes of our past were set. What is more important is what happened. Was he standing here or was it a little closer to the stairs? It doesn't matter to the story. What matters is there was a confrontation and this is what was said. Montiel tells the story very well and the interesting editing added a sense of that story telling.

The young girls that hang out with Dito and his friends play an interesting role in the story for me. The interactions they had with the boys are so well done. The immaturity and akwardness between the sexes is apparent and accurate. It is a chance for the boys to show another side of their characters too.

Everyone who acted in this film did a superb job. There was no character that I didn't feel or believe. Shia LaBeouf is outstanding as the young Dito. He is very real and told his story well. He always seems like a caring person, but is very careful not to show too much care for the people he would abandon. I think his eye contact is a big part of this. He doesn't often look directly at people and this shows his desire to not get too close to them. His girlfriend, played by Melonie Diaz, even points out that he will not look at her. The only person he really seemed to open up to is his friend Mike. A loveable character that is well played by Martin Compston, who is also fun to watch in Sweet Sixteen.

I think Channing Tatum does a perfect job as Antonio. He surprised me in Step Up and once again in Saints. He has a manner of delivering dialogue that is so natural feeling. I see so many actors struggle to be convincing and he does it very well. Chazz Palminteri is great for the role of Dito's father. He shows his internal struggle so well in his face. The words that he couldn't get out but were spinning around in him. His repetition of everything and interactions with Antonio are entertaining too.

As an ensemble, the cast is fun to watch and totally addicting. This was made clear at this year's Sundance Festival, where it received the Jury Prize for its ensemble cast. Not to mention that Dito Montiel received the Director's Award.

This is a very enjoyable film, and a genre success story. Dito Montiel nicely adapted his life story into a captivating film. For a first time director, the shots and editing are very unique and effective. The acting is superb, and the story is poignant.


GRADE: A
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/aguidetorecognizingyoursaints/hd/
Similar to: Mean Streets and other Scorsese films