DVD Review: A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

Shia LeBeouf, Robert Downey Jr., Channing Tatum, Rosario Dawson, Melonie Diaz, Peter Anthony Tambakis, Adam Scarimbolo, Dianne Wiest, Chazz Palminteri

Rated R for pervasive language, some violence, sexuality, and drug use

Grade: B+

It always bothers me when good films slip beneath my radar. I've just heard murmurings here and there about this film but I never really looking into. I found it on Netflix and added it to the line up and I'm glad I did. This is a powerful and moving film that has some amazing performances. However, the rather slow pacing had me willing the film to come to a close.

In this film, based on a true story, Dito (LeBeouf/Downey) tells us his story of growing up in New York and the hardships he dealt with in his home. He and a couple of friends come across a kid tagging a friend's family store. Dito and his friends, Antonio (Tatum) and Nerf (Tambakis) vow to seek revenge. But this is just a subplot to the emotional life he leads at home. His father wants to be friends with his son and his pals rather than be a father. Eventually, Dito takes off to California leaving his friends and family behind.

The story his is a powerful one and it is told very well through a group of talented actors. It From the get-go, you know this film is going to move you and with Downey Jr. at the lead, it no doubt gets there. The problem here is that the pacing just seems off. It's not the fastest movie I've seen, but it's not enough to say this was not a great film.

It's no secret that Robert Downey Jr. is a great actor and if you are looking for further proof of this, watch this film. The highlight of the film in which Dito returns home to his ailing father is powerful and moving in a way that I haven't seen in a film in years. The other main players in the film were just as good. LeBeouf has an image of playing the quirky kid like his role in the Transformers films, but his work here was incredible; he's able to hold his own with the powerhouse of Downey. Tatum, who is usually dry and one-dimensional, shows that given the right script, he's actually really good.

There are some interesting filming elements included here that you typically only see in independent films, like the inclusion of text on the screen during some phone calls. These little things do a great job in keeping the audience interested. It's fun and different.

A Guide to Representing Your Saints is a much different film than I had anticipated and I was pleasantly surprised by the film I watched. It touches you like few films do and more films should, I just wish it moved a little faster than it does.