Gritty and Real

"A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints," an autobiographical film about growing up in Queens by Dito Montiel, feels gritty and real. The dialogue, which is the best thing about this flick, sounds picture-perfect, gritty and real. And the actors look the part--gritty and real. Most of the film is populated by little-known actors, playing four teenaged friends who may never break out of Astoria. Interestingly, Robert Downey Jr., who plays the grownup version of Dito, is the weakest link of the standout cast.