Sin Nombre is director/writer Cary Fukunaga's first feature film that intertwines two very different stories together in a journey across Central America. It's a spectacular ride, and one that has an unforgettable ending.
The film starts with Willy, who is better known as El Casper to his gang. He's played by Edgar Flores who does a spectacular job injecting a lot of heart and emotion into Willy. Flores, who is a virtual newcomer to film, was incredible, he gives one of the best and most genuine performance of the year. Willy meets up with his younger friend, whom is referred to as Smiley, and they go to an area to initiate Smiley into the gang. Some events follow that catapult Willy and Smiley onto the wrong side of the gang. They must prove their worth by doing a special job with another. They go onto a freight train to rob some hopeful citizens, that have dreams of moving to America. That's where Willy meets Sayra, a young woman who is traveling to the United States with her Uncle and Father. She has dreams of starting a new life in the States. Sayra is played by Paulina Gaitan, who gives a tremendous performance. When one of the Gang members has plans to rape Sayra, Willy kills him with a machete. That's when Willy's life changes for the worst. He is now a marked man, and tries to escape to America, but he knows he can't run forever.
The chemistry between Sayra and Willy is spectacular. They are really great together and form a tight bond. In spite of Willy's tough exterior, Sayra shows a kindness towards him that is really special. They make such a good couple and the ending is extremely devastating. The entire film is captured through incredible cinematography. It's far and away the best of the year, and I don't think there will be many films that will have better cinematography.
Fukunaga's direction is really something special, it's extremely surprising that it's his feature film debut. It feels like a film at the of a veteran of the craft. What's even more impressive is the fact that he also wrote the film. The screenplay is very, very impressive, it's a great look into the lives of gang members and is quite terrifying. Kristian Ferrer, who plays the young gang member Smiley is the most terrifying of them all. Not even a teenager yet, Smiley is willing to do anything to join the gang, he even volunteers to hunt Willy, his first friend, down and kill him for the gang. He's wide-eyed, with a big smile and determined to make a name for himself. It also helps that the young Ferrer turns out a great performance. He turns from a naive child, into a frightening caricature of gang violence.
To sum it up, Sin Nombre is a spectacular and devastating look into the world of gang violence and immigration. The performances are all top notch, and the debut of director/writer Cary Fukunaga seems like something a veteran would produce. I'll definitely check out his future projects, because this debut shows that a bright future is ahead for Fukunaga. It's extremely powerful and devastating, and I highly recommend it. Ten out of ten.
The film starts with Willy, who is better known as El Casper to his gang. He's played by Edgar Flores who does a spectacular job injecting a lot of heart and emotion into Willy. Flores, who is a virtual newcomer to film, was incredible, he gives one of the best and most genuine performance of the year. Willy meets up with his younger friend, whom is referred to as Smiley, and they go to an area to initiate Smiley into the gang. Some events follow that catapult Willy and Smiley onto the wrong side of the gang. They must prove their worth by doing a special job with another. They go onto a freight train to rob some hopeful citizens, that have dreams of moving to America. That's where Willy meets Sayra, a young woman who is traveling to the United States with her Uncle and Father. She has dreams of starting a new life in the States. Sayra is played by Paulina Gaitan, who gives a tremendous performance. When one of the Gang members has plans to rape Sayra, Willy kills him with a machete. That's when Willy's life changes for the worst. He is now a marked man, and tries to escape to America, but he knows he can't run forever.
The chemistry between Sayra and Willy is spectacular. They are really great together and form a tight bond. In spite of Willy's tough exterior, Sayra shows a kindness towards him that is really special. They make such a good couple and the ending is extremely devastating. The entire film is captured through incredible cinematography. It's far and away the best of the year, and I don't think there will be many films that will have better cinematography.
Fukunaga's direction is really something special, it's extremely surprising that it's his feature film debut. It feels like a film at the of a veteran of the craft. What's even more impressive is the fact that he also wrote the film. The screenplay is very, very impressive, it's a great look into the lives of gang members and is quite terrifying. Kristian Ferrer, who plays the young gang member Smiley is the most terrifying of them all. Not even a teenager yet, Smiley is willing to do anything to join the gang, he even volunteers to hunt Willy, his first friend, down and kill him for the gang. He's wide-eyed, with a big smile and determined to make a name for himself. It also helps that the young Ferrer turns out a great performance. He turns from a naive child, into a frightening caricature of gang violence.
To sum it up, Sin Nombre is a spectacular and devastating look into the world of gang violence and immigration. The performances are all top notch, and the debut of director/writer Cary Fukunaga seems like something a veteran would produce. I'll definitely check out his future projects, because this debut shows that a bright future is ahead for Fukunaga. It's extremely powerful and devastating, and I highly recommend it. Ten out of ten.
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