REVIEW: SIN NOMBRE
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FIRST-TIME director Cary Fukunaga mixes a gangster movie, road trip flick, romance and social commentary into one well-rounded package in SIN NOMBRE (15).
Literally translated as "without a name", the film charts the "invisible" migrants who aim for a better life by making the dangerous journey from Honduras in Central America to the greener grass of the US.
If only it were that simple though - and Fukunaga weaves together numerous plots to prove the point. There's poor teenager Sayra, who's leaving to stay with her father's new family; Casper, a young gang member who's had enough of violence; and Lil Mago, the gang leader out for Casper's blood.
Set mostly on a train to Mexico - a means of escape to some and easy pickings for others - the film steams along, delivering gripping thrills along with insight into the migrant experience.
The locations are beautiful but this is a gritty, vital and authentic movie that's unafraid to deny its characters their happy endings or show the harsh realities of life. Still, there are signs of hope too - particularly for Fukunaga, who proves himself to be a talent to watch out for.- JUSTIN MATLOCK
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