A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS (2006)

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"An incredible drama about the life in the streets."

Arguably Robert Downey Jr's best work, in an all-star cast of characters protraying the lives of a young, angry group of urban "outsider" type personalities; these intense characters, each who electricify each scene, in a volitile screenplay chronicling a story of relationships between gang members, their families and grit of city life that erodes inhibitions defining social class. This film switches between the present and flashbacks with Downey's character of Dito, whose memories in the summer of 1986 offer a grungy narrative that tends to pull at the heartstrings; in this expression of his internal conflicts, 'Dito' believes himself having been "saved" from a downward spiral in life by the "Saints" who prevented falling into the same violent fate of his peers. In many ways, it is a modern day version of a coming of age drama, dealing with the issues troubling our children, from drugs, to prison, and the generational gaps between all of us. An excellent performance by Shia LaBeouf of "Transformers", "I, Robot" and "Disturbia" fame, whose incredible portrayal proves this actor has yet to fulfill his potiential, and I personally look forward to seeing him develop his craft. This is one of the movies you'd probably miss because in my opinion it never received the hype of the other blockbusters that have passed through the local cinema. A must see for those who are entertained by true to life portrayals of life in the streets.