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Editorial Reviews
Seeking the promise of America, a beautiful young woman, Sayra (Paulina Gaitan), joins her father on an odyssey to cross the gauntlet of the Latin American countryside. Along the way, she crosses paths with a teenaged Mexican gang member, El Casper (Edgar M. Flores), who is maneuvering to outrun his violent past. Together they have to rely on faith, trust and street smarts if they are to survive their increasingly perilous journey towards the hope of new lives.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Sin Nombre (Cary Fukunaga, 2009)
It was early in the year when some critics (most notably Turner Classic Movies daytime host Ben Mankiewicz) started proclaiming Sin Nombre the best film of 2009. (I just checked Huffington Post for his year-end list, and yes, it's still at the top of the list.) And Sin Nombre, the first feature-length film from Cary Fukunaga, is a very good film, but the best of 2009?
The story focuses on two teenagers, Honduran Sayra (Never on Sunday's Paulina Gaitan, a Mexican actress) who comes to Mexico to be reunited with her father, and Mexican gang member Willy (Provocacion's Edgar Flores, a Honduran actor--see what they did there?--in his second film role). Sayra and her father want to hop a train to America to start a new life, while Willy and his friend Smiley (Kristian Ferrer, recently of Days of Grace) are just trying to get along gettin' along as members of the infamous Mara Salvatrucha. Or they are until an incident of shocking violence leads Willy to reconsider his place in the world.
The film's trailers, and many of the reviews, focus on the train journey, which is a bit disingenuous (and something of a spoiler), since the train journey occupies, at most, the final third of the film. Sayra and Willy's stories don't come together until then, which gives the first part of the film something of a disjointed feel. Not bad, mind you, just disjointed, as the movie ping-pongs back and forth between them. It's all very well-done, very solid filmmaking with a compelling pair of stories and a lot of heart, but I can't help comparing it to Cidade de Deus, which did much the same thing with a much smaller budget and a stable of amateurs. Again, it's not that Sin Nombre is a bad movie in any way. In fact, it's a very good movie. It's just not Cidade de Deus, though it comes close. *** ½
It was early in the year when some critics (most notably Turner Classic Movies daytime host Ben Mankiewicz) started proclaiming Sin Nombre the best film of 2009. (I just checked Huffington Post for his year-end list, and yes, it's still at the top of the list.) And Sin Nombre, the first feature-length film from Cary Fukunaga, is a very good film, but the best of 2009?
The story focuses on two teenagers, Honduran Sayra (Never on Sunday's Paulina Gaitan, a Mexican actress) who comes to Mexico to be reunited with her father, and Mexican gang member Willy (Provocacion's Edgar Flores, a Honduran actor--see what they did there?--in his second film role). Sayra and her father want to hop a train to America to start a new life, while Willy and his friend Smiley (Kristian Ferrer, recently of Days of Grace) are just trying to get along gettin' along as members of the infamous Mara Salvatrucha. Or they are until an incident of shocking violence leads Willy to reconsider his place in the world.
The film's trailers, and many of the reviews, focus on the train journey, which is a bit disingenuous (and something of a spoiler), since the train journey occupies, at most, the final third of the film. Sayra and Willy's stories don't come together until then, which gives the first part of the film something of a disjointed feel. Not bad, mind you, just disjointed, as the movie ping-pongs back and forth between them. It's all very well-done, very solid filmmaking with a compelling pair of stories and a lot of heart, but I can't help comparing it to Cidade de Deus, which did much the same thing with a much smaller budget and a stable of amateurs. Again, it's not that Sin Nombre is a bad movie in any way. In fact, it's a very good movie. It's just not Cidade de Deus, though it comes close. *** ½
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully shot and intense film about a nightmarish trek towards the American dream
September 18, 2009
Format:DVD
First time director Cary Fukunaga rode the rails himself in preparation to tell this heartbreaking story of a family on their way to the United States by hitching on top of a dangerous train. The narrative flows between the life of Mexican gangster Willi, whose secretive relationship with a city girl puts a rift between him and his "homies," and an introduction to Sayra, whose father has just been deported from the U.S., and plans to take her back with him to the family he has in New Jersey. A series of tragedies bring them together and force them to go on the run from Willi's former gang. The pacing is intense, and yet in the editing there is ample exploration of the setting, of the atmosphere and flavor, and a very strong sense of the wide variety in the geography and local culture encountered on the trek from the southern border of Mexico to Texas. It is beautifully shot, and brilliantly cast. The lead actor in the role of Willy (Edgar Flores) does such a remarkable job that it is hard to imagine he is playing a part -- even more astonishing given that this was his very first role in film. Paulina Gaytan as Sayra is equally convincing and compelling. This is a very impressive debut film -- and I have every expectation that we will continue to see excellent work from director Cary Fukunaga in the future. Highly recommended.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Rachel.
Format:DVD
A lot of gangster movies are romanticized or just over the top. This was not one of them. A simple, wonderful, and horrifying gangster movie about the issues going on in Mexico and South America. Watch it watch it watch it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
brand new product as expected
This video came quickly and wrapped in plastic and had obviously never been opened or used. It worked great and I show it in my spanish classes with no problems. Thanks!
Published 9 days ago by ashadoff
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT MOVIE
This movie shows a very interesting and almost human quality of gangs. The movie itself shows an inside look into the gangs (MS13) and then a personal and humanistic side of... Read more
Published 10 days ago by Joanne Telfer
5.0 out of 5 stars
For both enjoyment and teaching
I saw this indie in theaters when it came out and I fell in love with the story. Difficult to watch at times but a great depiction of immigration and gang life south of the border. Read more
Published 27 days ago by Amanda F. Vega
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sin Nombre
Great movie, a must see! 5 out of 5 stars! An intense look into the gang culture of Mexico and also the trials and tribulations that immigrates go thru in order for an opportunity... Read more
Published 1 month ago by LGHoliday
3.0 out of 5 stars
????
I bought if for my cousin and her husband. I didn't actually watch it. I would know what it is about.
Published 2 months ago by svillarreal
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sad story that shows 2 different realities some Latinos have
Great movie, very well done and acted by these young men and ladies. Will always be on my recommended list.
Published 2 months ago by 123kid
1.0 out of 5 stars
doesn't work
I received it today and put it in my ps3 and it doesn't play. its stuck on d revolver entertainment screen not satisfy at all!
Published 2 months ago by cbernard
3.0 out of 5 stars
Class assignment
I ad to watch it for a class assignment. It was okay, More modern and realistic Than El north te, but the end leaves the audience hanging.
Published 2 months ago by Emily White
5.0 out of 5 stars
PLIGHT OF IMMIGRANTS SENSITIVELY PORTRAYED --- Spectator leaves film...
This film shows the paths people take for the sake of a better life. The path and struggle for immigration is portrayed very sensitively in this film. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Tom
5.0 out of 5 stars
good movie
very good movie ne quality , and sound .
the history its very good and interesting . cuz is base on a true story
the history its very good and interesting . cuz is base on a true story
Published 3 months ago by alex
