Based on his own memoir of the same name, first-time director, Dito Montiel, captures all the emotion and confusion of adolescent life in New York in A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints.

This coming-of-age drama sees Dito (Robert Downey Jr), a successful author, returning to New York after 15 years, when his father Monty (Chazz Palminteri) becomes ill. While on his way, memories of his youth in Queens and the events that took place in the sweltering summer of 1986 cause him to re-evaluate his relationship with his parents, Monty and Flori (Dianne Wiest) as well as the city he was so desperate to leave behind.

In flashbacks we are shown teen Dito (Shia LaBeouf) and his friends, in particular the volatile Antonio (Channing Tatum) try to affirm their position on the streets and with each other. Dito’s home life seems stable enough, yet with Monty showing more admiration and respect for bad boy Antonio then his for own son, Dito begins to feel a sense of displacement and confusion, which urges him to get out. When the new kid in town, Scottish Mike, offers a calmer alternative and a clear escape route, Dito begins to see life from a different perspective, and when tragic circumstances take place, he becomes more determined then ever to leave it all behind. Unfortunately, his parents see this as a personal attack, creating a claustrophobic environment, which only makes matters worse.

Upon returning to New York, Adult Dito reunites with a few old friends, including his old girlfriend Laurie (Rosario Dawson) and begins to reconcile his past with his present and instead of running away from his problems, begins to face them head on. This includes restoring his relationship with his father, and understanding the relationship that he had with Antonio, who is now in prison.

This movie is a compelling, raw masterpiece told with honesty. There is a surprising objectiveness given that the director, Montiel, is in the story. He has made no heroes or villains, but instead has created multi-dimensional characters, each with positive and negative traits yet with a common sense of desperation in them all. The performances of Downey, Weist and Palminteri are excellent as expected, but it’s the kids, mostly played by first-timers, which are amazing and real.

The cinematography by Frenchmen, Eric Gautier, has created a scorched, oppressive city environment with no effort to remove any anachronistic objects (such as ATMs) from the 1986 backdrop, and all 1990s clichés are thankfully left behind, making the story so much more relatable and poignant. The music, though from the 80s, is featured subtlety and there is not a legwarmer or gold chain in sight.

The dvd features cast interviews as well as an insightful interview with director, Montiel, in addition to deleted scenes and a trailer.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Out now through Madman