Sin Nombre

What a film! Cary Fukunaga's Sin Nombre ("Nameless") is the best movie I've seen in a very long time. It mixes the story of Sayra, a Honduran who is trying to immigrate to the US with her uncle and cousin to find a better future with the story of gang members Smiley (who seems to be 12 years old) and El Casper, members Mara Salvatrucha, for whom the gang is everything. I'm not revealing the plot; there is no spoiler here.

The film is beautifully photographed. The journey from Chiapas to the Rio Grande atop boxcars would be harrowing enough if the only obstacles were the danger of the ride and the police, corrupt and otherwise. But the gangs also prey unmercifully on the migrants during the journey. And the final crossing into the US does not provide sanctuary. The film is a wonderful blend of road film, love story, and chase film.



Don't miss this film.