Reviewed by Glenn Gaslin (February/March 2007) Directed by Dito Montiel. Starring Rosario Dawson, Robert Downey Jr., Shia LaBeouf, Chazz Palminteri, Channing Tatum, Dianne Wiest. Released by First Look Media. Box office (U.S.): $518,000. Box office (worldwide): $530,000 million.
Just because you don't recognize Dito Montiel or remember his short punk-rock career doesn't mean you should ignore his life, his memoir or, particularly, his movie based on both. Montiel's tale of growing up in Queens in the '80s is poetic and alive, dripping with family turmoil, violence, romance, bizarre artistic flourishes and, most of all, great acting. So much great acting you'll wonder why you don't see more of these people: LaBeouf, as young Montiel, is infectious and inspiring, but then so is Downey as his grown-up counterpart, Palminteri as his dying father, and Tatum and Dawson as childhood friends. The guy may not be a saint, but his story, and this telling of it, may be enough to get him into heaven. |
