Directed by:
Dito MontielScreenplay:
Dito MontielCinematography:
Eric GautierComposer:
Jonathan EliasCast:
Robert Downey Jr., Chazz Palminteri, Shia LaBeouf, Dianne Wiest, Channing Tatum, Rosario Dawson, Eric Roberts, Melonie Diaz, Anthony DeSando, Michael Rivera (more)Plots(1)
Writer Dito Montiel's highly cinematic memoir of his childhood in Queens, New York, makes the leap to the big screen, with the author himself getting behind the camera to helm this powerful, and at times gut-wrenching, adaptation. The film flits back and forth between the adult Montiel's (Robert Downey Jr.) emotional return to the neighborhood after a 15-year gap, and the childhood antics that led to his younger self (played by Shia LeBouf) fleeing to Los Angeles in 1986. Downey's older brother Montiel is an introspective, quietly successful author who comes home after he is informed of his father's (Chazz Palminteri) life-threatening illness. LeBouf's teenage Montiel is a young tearaway who runs into constant trouble with his gang of friends, falls in love with local looker Laurie (Rosario Dawson), and dreams of an escape from the city with his Scottish friend, Mike (Martin Compston). The balance of the film tilts in favor of the kids, with most of the action taking place in 1986. These scenes acutely capture the punishing heat of the New York City summer, with the teenage gang soaked in sweat and dirt as they trample through their crumbling Queens ghetto. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
![Robert Downey Jr.](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/419/164419362_6aa8cb.jpg)
Robert Downey Jr.
USA
Best movies:
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Oppenheimer (2023)
![Chazz Palminteri](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/267/267774_404986.jpg)
Chazz Palminteri
USA
Best movies:
The Usual Suspects (1995)
A Bronx Tale (1993)
Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
![Shia LaBeouf](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/165/009/165009389_cc9c9a.jpg)
Shia LaBeouf
USA
Best movies:
I, Robot (2004)
The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
Lawless (2012)
![Dianne Wiest](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/165/049/165049771_d89ddb.jpg)
Dianne Wiest
USA
Best movies:
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Ściana (1982) (TV movie)
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
![Channing Tatum](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/166/221/166221031_2623c7.jpg)
Channing Tatum
USA
Best movies:
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
The Hateful Eight (2015)
Coach Carter (2005)
![Rosario Dawson](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/165/128/165128112_8f87a7.jpg)
Rosario Dawson
USA
Best movies:
Dopesick (2021) (series)
Seven Pounds (2008)
Sin City (2005)
![Eric Roberts](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/268/268886_38c695.jpg)
Eric Roberts
USA
Best movies:
The Dark Knight (2008)
Babylon (2022)
Spawn 3: Ultimate Battle (1999)
![Melonie Diaz](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/740/164740274_8e133b.jpg)
Melonie Diaz
USA
Best movies:
Lords of Dogtown (2005)
Double Whammy (2001)
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
![Anthony DeSando](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/105/792/105792687_394d64.jpg)
Anthony DeSando
USA
Best movies:
Bride Of Violence (1991) (TV movie)
Freeheld (2015)
Two Bits (1995)
Michael Rivera
Best movies:
The Night Of (2016) (series)
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
Supporting Characters (2012)
Federico Castelluccio
Italy
Best movies:
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
Made (2001)
Cabrini (2024)
![Yetta Gottesman](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/158/455/158455146_707308.jpg)
Yetta Gottesman
Best movies:
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
Rabbit Hole (2010)
Lucky You (2007)
Adam Scarimbolo
USA
Best movies:
Greater (2016)
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
Lymelife (2008)
![Martin Compston](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/507/507457_9b063c.jpg)
Martin Compston
UK
Best movies:
Ripper Street (2012) (series)
The Damned United (2009)
Sweet Sixteen (2002)
![David Castro](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/158/633/158633890_222410.jpg)
David Castro
USA
Best movies:
Where God Left His Shoes (2007)
Arranged (2007)
Bella (2006)
Eleonore Hendricks
USA
Best movies:
Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015)
Daddy Longlegs (2009)
Highway (2002)
![Chance Kelly](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/864/160864267_e271a6.jpg)
Chance Kelly
USA
Best movies:
American Gangster (2007)
The Departed (2006)
Generation Kill (2008) (series)
![Scott Michael Campbell](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/074/162074465_43bcef.jpg)
Scott Michael Campbell
USA
Best movies:
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Under the Banner of Heaven (2022) (series)
Crazy (2008)
Olga Merediz
Cuba
Best movies:
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
K-PAX (2001)
Remember Me (2010)
Peter Anthony Tambakis
Best movies:
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Ransom (1996)
Igby Goes Down (2002)