The movie is a coming-of-age drama about a boy growing up in Astoria, N.Y., during the 1980s. As his friends end up dead, on drugs or in prison, he comes to believe he has been saved from their fate by various so-called saints.The Movie starsRobert Downey Jr. ,(Shia LaBeouf as his younger self), Rosario Dawson (Melonie Diaz), and Eric Roberts (Channing Tatum). It is based on a 2001 memoir of the same name by author Dito Montiel, which describes his youth in Astoria, New York during the 1980s. The story revolves around Dito, a writer in L.A., who goes home to Astoria, Queens, after a 15-year absence when his mother calls to say his father's ill. In a series of flashbacks we see the young Dito, his parents, his closest friends and his girl Laurie, as each tries to navigate family, race, loyalty, sex, coming of age, violence, and wanting out.