I really enjoyed this movie, yes pretty much everyone in it is screwed up but it's also very realistic. Their depiction of bored boys in Vermont in the 1980s is dead on. What happens after is very interesting with the East Village, CBGBs and the relationships and how they progress. I recommend this movie and had no problem "figuring out" who was adopted etc. Then again, I like movies that don't spoon feed everything. I'm suppose to write 10 lines of text but don't want to include any spoilers. All the actors did a great job, especially Ethan Hawke and I love seeing Julianne Nicholson again in a movie. She is such a natural actress. I wasn't big on the actress who played the rich New York mother, however.

"Ten Thousand Saints," is an enjoyable coming of age film about complicated and dysfunctional families and characters in the late 1980's. The film, based on the novel by Eleanor Henderson, begins in rural Vermont where we meet two best-friend stoner teens from broken hippy families. One boy dies of a drug overdose, the other bolts for New York City where he moves in with his stoner father. A pregnant girl enters his life and his rage turns to confusion, and then eases as he begins to grow-up. The film is mostly set in New York's East Village, with hard-core and straight-edge music giving the story contrasting anti-establishment and clean living structures, as well as a rough edge and soft core. The narrative culminates at the 1988 Tompkins Square Park Riots, which becomes an explosive coming of age moment for the young couple, as well as the city. All the characters are deeply flawed but likeable, and the New York period setting (complete with CBGB's) drips with authenticity. It was a fun time to be growing up, but also a dangerous time. This low budget independent film captures that dynamic well. The first 20 minutes start out slow, but if you lived through that period and don't mind course language and a background of 1980's drug culture, it's well worth two hours of screen time.

This film tells the story of three parents, and their four teenage children who live chaotic lives in New York. I didn't think I would like "Ten Thousand Saints" at first because their world is so different from mine. The father, played by Ethan Hawke, is an irresponsible parent beyond imagination. He even shares illegal drugs with his son, which is really beyond me. Yet, soon afterwards the characters grow on me and I care much about their well-being and happiness. Hailee Steinfeld's character as a pregnant teenager really stands out, the things she has to go through is tough even for an adult. The scene that she confides that she does not remember what Teddy looks like is quite breathtaking. "Ten Thousand Saints" has great character development, and an captivating story to go with it. I certainly hope there will be a happy ending for the children in the untold future.

Based on the novel from Eleanor Henderson, 10,000 SAINTS is a classic styled drama set in New York where we follow some young and confused teenagers growing up and their crazed dysfunctional parents during the sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll era of the eighties. The first part of the film is really explosive and gripping but the further on the story goes it seems to get a bit stuck but keeps it curiosity until the end. This nostalgic trip through life gives you both smiles and tears while touching your heart and is a reminder of how fragile and short life is. A well-directed and written story by Sundance winners Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (American Splendor) with impressive performances from this odd mixed but great cast featuring Ethan Hawke, Asa Butterfield, Hailee Steinfield, Avan Jogia, Emilie Kirsch and Emily Mortimer.

Greetings again from the darkness. Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n Roll – not just a bumper sticker, but also frequent and fun movie topics. Throw in 1980's New York City, some excruciatingly dysfunctional parenting, and the coming-of-age struggles of three youngsters, and you have the latest from co-writers and co-directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (the real life couple behind American Splendor, 2003). Based on the novel from Eleanor Henderson, it's a nostalgic trip with little of the positive connotations usually associated with that term. The surprisingly deep cast features Ethan Hawke and Julianne Nicholson (August: Osage County, 2013) as parents to son Jude played by Asa Butterfield (Hugo, 2011). Emily Mortimer plays Hawke's new girlfriend and mother to Eliza played by Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit, 2010). Avan Jogia plays Jude's best friend Teddy, and Emile Hirsch is Teddy's big brother Johnny. It's an unusually high number of flawed characters who come together in a story that features some familiar coming-of-age moments, yet still manages to keep our interest. The story centers on Jude as he comes to terms with finding out he's adopted, works to overcome his less than stellar parents, and spends an inordinate amount of time finding new ways to experiment with drugs. One night changes everything as it leads to a tragic end for one character and pregnancy for Eliza. Ms. Steinfeld is extraordinary as Eliza and really makes an impressive step from child actress to young adult. Julianne Nicholson is also a standout, and Ethan Hawke provides some offbeat comic relief. So many elements of 1980's New York are included, and no effort is made to add any touches of glamour. The Tompkins Square park riots also play a role, if only briefly as the key characters realize life is just not so simple … a consistent theme for both kids and parents. The fragility of life is always an interesting topic, and the filmmakers bring this to light through some characters that we feel like we know – and wish we could help.

source: Ten Thousand Saints

This movie is in heavy rotation on tv right now. Don't fall for it. 2 hours lost.

"Ten Thousand Saints," is an enjoyable coming of age film about complicated and dysfunctional families and characters in the late 1980's. The film, based on the novel by Eleanor Henderson, begins in rural Vermont where we meet two best-friend stoner teens from broken hippy families. One boy dies of a drug overdose, the other bolts for New York City where he moves in with his stoner father. A pregnant girl enters his life and his rage turns to confusion, and then eases as he begins to grow-up. The film is mostly set in New York's East Village, with hard-core and straight-edge music giving the story contrasting anti-establishment and clean living structures, as well as a rough edge and soft core. The narrative culminates at the 1988 Tompkins Square Park Riots, which becomes an explosive coming of age moment for the young couple, as well as the city. All the characters are deeply flawed but likeable, and the New York period setting (complete with CBGB's) drips with authenticity. It was a fun time to be growing up, but also a dangerous time. This low budget independent film captures that dynamic well. The first 20 minutes start out slow, but if you lived through that period and don't mind course language and a background of 1980's drug culture, it's well worth two hours of screen time.

Ten Thousand Saints is witty, good fun, but lacking something. I was glad that Jude (Asa Butterfield) and Eliza (Hailee Steinfeld) ended up together, but some parts were repetitive, dull, and very predictable.

Great re-creation of fragility of relationships in a late-80s mainly NY setting. Performances and direction are first-class. (Watched 8/'16)