There is a sense of early Scorcese in the gritty realism that permeates this film. The hot, sweat-soaked streets of New York are brimming with physical and emotional tension that recalls Travis Bickle at his most anguished. A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints is a personal journey about growing up. Dito is a published author who, after a lengthy absence, is returning to the family home. In flash back, he reflects on why he left the run-down streets he was born into. Montiel’s jumbled time-line and discordant editing builds a frenetic and anxious tone that is a rousing picture of small-town New York. Here is village life in a tight-knit community where outsiders are viewed with distrust and fear; traits that are their strength and failing. High tragedy presents itself when Dito’s punky friends and a vengeful gang are seduced by easy virtue.

Saints is a story of two halves that doesn’t always make a convincing transition between past and future. The threads come together but fail to make a sensational whole; a minor disappointment in an otherwise energetic film dominated by sensational performances. A stellar cast led by Downey Jr., LaBeouf, Chazz Palminteri and Dianne Wiest are uniformly excellent while the model-buff Channing Tatum brings a brooding and unexpected intensity to his role. Montiel clearly has something to say and knows how to say it. Though rough and imperfect, this deeply personal film is effective and affecting. Assuming he has yet to expel all his angst, it is delivered by a director from whom we’ll be hearing much more.

// COLIN FRASER