Movie #51 --- let's first start out by pointing out that this movie is NOT for everybody: every other word is the "f" word; it's very violent; it uses hand held camera technique (like Raging Bull); people interrupt, don't finish their thoughts, abusive to each other, etc. But there's so much TO value, as far as film. The acting is superb: Shia Labeouf and Robert Downey, Jr play the same part (Dito, young/old), Dianne Wiest and Chaz Palminteri are the parents, and an amazing young actor who plays the dog walker, are the ones who shine ----- the message is so strong, yet multi-layered because the film is bathed in realism. And effective? the high point is done with quick edits, like pictures being taken, a very powerful technique that just draws the audience in. It's certainly about how violence breeds violence and how it's tough to separate yourself from your roots. It was a sundance movie that I had heard a lot about and I'm certainly glad I got a chance to finally see it. And Labeouf and Downey have really never disappointed me, yet (but then, I haven't seen Labeouf in those transformer movies, yet).
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints(2006) Robert Downey Jr. stars in director Dito Montiel's autobiographical coming-of-age drama set in blue-collar Queens, N.Y. While his young friends all seem to end up as junkies, inmates or corpses, Dito (Downey) miraculously escapes the same fate. He attributes that to divine intervention from a group of "saints," who are the same friends whose path he tries so hard to avoid. Dianne Wiest, Chazz Palminteri, Shia LaBeoufand Rosario Dawson co-star.
- I gave it 4 stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment