Dito, a writer in L.A., 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 four closest friends, and his girl Laurie, as each tries to navigate family, race, loyalty, sex, coming of age, violence, and wanting out. A ball falls onto the subway tracks at a station, small things get out of hand. Can Dito go home again?

Dito Montiel was reluctant to cast Shia LaBeouf in the role of young Dito because Montiel was intent on casting an unknown. After the first rejection, however, LaBeouf pushed for one more audition. He came into the casting office, punched a hole in the wall, and convinced Montiel that he could bring a requisite amount of anger to the role.

Frank:
Listen to Dito. He knows when it's time to go.

Anachronisms: In a scene set in New York City during the early 1980s, a flyer alleging a conspiracy related to the terrorist attacks on the USA of 11 September 2001 is taped to a lamp-post during a dolly shot.

Written by Denny Randell and Sally Linzer
Performed by Odyssey
Courtesy of The RCA Records Label
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment