Review of A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006) by Danielle K — 24 Apr 2008

The word interesting is thrown around a lot these days, and sometimes people even get silly and use "compelling" but really, a movie cannot be compelling, if a movie does compel you...you're living in a fantasy world.

The presentation of this flick is something you've seen time and time again but you wont recognize the originality of the idea until you see it done well.

The characters are introduced slowly as youth living in Queens, the reveals of the flashback plot are then given by the characters situation in the present, (nothing special). Well, it's done properly here, the necessary empathy is garnered by this well executed technique, as well aided by strong acting.

I do have to point out the similarities to "Sleepers" being quite rampant. This may be why the movie has a limited audience as though it may well be better than "Sleepers" audiences may feel "it's just like Sleepers, but without the male rape".

I would label this one a hybrid of "Sleepers" and "Kids", ending up better than the afore mentioned but not on par with the latter.