Sin Nombre (2008)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Dan S

  
  A well-made melodrama with firmly rooted Shakespearean underpinnings concerning a gang-member on the run (Edgar Flores) after he murders one of his own, and how he forms an unlikely relationship with a teenage girl (Paulina Gaitan) who has her sights set on getting across the American… More
  A well-made melodrama with firmly rooted Shakespearean underpinnings concerning a gang-member on the run (Edgar Flores) after he murders one of his own, and how he forms an unlikely relationship with a teenage girl (Paulina Gaitan) who has her sights set on getting across the American border. What director Cary Fukunaga does so well is make us sympathize with both characters involved in the story, despite the fact that they are both aspiring illegal aliens who are knowingly breaking the law. The story is slightly overdone in sections, and sometimes it does not know how to pace itself, but overall it still comes out a winner somehow, someway. The last twenty minutes of the film are particularly thrilling if somewhat predictable. Flores turn as a tortured man scrambling just to survive is absolutely arresting, and the relationship he forms with Gaitan's character is well-managed. As said, sometimes it is over-directed and over-acted, but the story structure remains strong throughout. Not as good as some critics would have you believe, but still a fine movie worthy of one's time thanks to its careful handling of illegal immigration and sympathizing with those that do it.

• J P

  
  This movie was really good. It showed the true side of being in a gang. Everyone in the gang says they are brothers forever and will help each other out whenever it's necessary, then they go and beat/betray/kill each other. It was really disturbing to see the little boy, Smiley,… More
  This movie was really good. It showed the true side of being in a gang. Everyone in the gang says they are brothers forever and will help each other out whenever it's necessary, then they go and beat/betray/kill each other. It was really disturbing to see the little boy, Smiley, become a gang member because he thought it was cool. He was so young, and was already killing people. It was an awesome movie. Really sad, but really good. The bond between Sayra and Willy was cute, though she was a very, very stupid girl. Jumping off a train to follow a member of a brutal gang? Yeah, not the smartest idea. I really like the movie though. It was sooo good.

• xGary X

  
  A gang member kills his boss when he tries to rape a young immigrant and together they try to make it across the border to the U.S. with his former friends in pursuit. Sin Nombre will no doubt be considered the "Mexican City Of God" by many because of its gangland subject… More
  A gang member kills his boss when he tries to rape a young immigrant and together they try to make it across the border to the U.S. with his former friends in pursuit. Sin Nombre will no doubt be considered the "Mexican City Of God" by many because of its gangland subject matter and young protagonists, but this film is a rather more human tale, more about escaping the life than the crime and brutality depicted in the Brazilian film. It shares a similar dark tone but is more of a road movie showing the bad conditions and hardships endured by the illegal immigrants seeking a new life in the united states as well as the harsh realities they are trying to escape. Edgar Flores puts in a very strong performance as the former thug trying to find something better whilst floundering in a world that no longer makes any sense to him without the friends or purpose in life given to him by his affiliation. Those expecting lots of gangland action and shoot outs may be disappointed, but it's a tense and intelligent story with a moral message that transcends culture and nationality.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"The greatest sin of all is risking nothing."</i> Honduran teenager Sayra reunites with her father, an opportunity for her to potentially realize her dream of a life in the U.S. Moving to Mexico is the first step in a fateful journey of unexpected events.… More
  <i>"The greatest sin of all is risking nothing."</i> Honduran teenager Sayra reunites with her father, an opportunity for her to potentially realize her dream of a life in the U.S. Moving to Mexico is the first step in a fateful journey of unexpected events. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> A superb companion piece to the classic immigrant drama "El Norte," the multi-award-winning "Sin Nombre" tells of a group of people risking life and limb to make a better life for themselves in the promised land of the United States. In "Sin Nombre," the huddled masses yearning to be free are huddled atop a train traveling from northern Guatemala to just south of the Rio Grande at the Texas/Mexico border. Sayra is a Honduran teen who, along with her father and uncle, is hoping to hook up with some relatives who have already established themselves in a distant land called New Jersey - so distant that it isn't even included on the torn and faded map the hopeful trio brings along with them on the journey. Willy (aka El Casper) is a member of a violent street gang who is having second thoughts about his commitment to the gang. When Willy and the gang's leader, Lil' Mago, board the train to rob the passengers, Willy ends up defending Sayra from Lil' Mago's violent advances, killing him in the process. Willy suddenly finds himself running for his life from his own gang brothers intent on avenging the death of their leader at the hands of one of their own. Together Sayra and Willy face threats from hunger, fetid water, border patrol agents and gangland retribution as they make their way north to the U.S. This is Cary Joji Fukunaga's debut work as a director - and what an astonishingly assured piece of film-making it turns out to be! Fukunaga, who also wrote the screenplay, certainly doesn't pull any punches when it comes to showing the ugly side of life south of the border. The scenes depicting gang life in that area are unerringly brutal and realistic, and the struggles the would-be migrants go through on the way to their destination are portrayed with a vividness that lends a near-documentary feel and air to the film. Yet, there are moments of tremendous warmth and hopefulness in the film as well, particularly in the scenes between Willy and Sayra as they tentatively begin a relationship based on mutual respect and caring. Excellent performances by Edgar Flores, Paulina Gaitin, Tenoche Huerta Mejia and Kristyan Ferrer and superb cinematography by Adriano Goldman add greatly to the film's impact. As thrilling as it is heartbreaking, "Sin Nombre" is a must-see film.

• Cynthia S

  
  Wow...most excellent!! This was a very interesting, and rather shocking look at a part of life in Mexico that I never even imagined. This story was very well done, and the acting superb.

• Thomas J

  
  I feel guilty just for any moments I have not felt my blessings to be a U.S. citizen. Anyone anti-immigration should watch this movie to understand the desperation and hopes people have about even be illegal, but IN the U.S. Very good movie!

• Daniel P

  
  Hard to follow all the details in the early going, but don't despair. This film is mercilessly cut, and it's for the better, as the real story - of migration - takes over soon enough. Well acted, well shot and compelling, Sin Nombre presents a completely believable and… More
  Hard to follow all the details in the early going, but don't despair. This film is mercilessly cut, and it's for the better, as the real story - of migration - takes over soon enough. Well acted, well shot and compelling, Sin Nombre presents a completely believable and globally important story that is by times brutal and by others beautiful. An excellent debut by director Fukunaga.

• Alexander W

  
  A decent latin american journey through Mexico with tradegy, love, honour. A fable of a story that could span a thousand years and several cultures. Sin Nombre is a gritty but worthwhile movie to watch.

• Stella D

  
  the story may be somewhat cliched and melodramatic but i'd like to give this 4 stars for strong and gritty realism. impressive and thrilling debut.

• Nate Z

  
  Part immigrant drama and part crime thriller, this stirring film is one of the rare instances where I was begging it to be longer. Writer/director Cary Fukunaga intertwines two tales, a southern Mexican family riding atop a train car to reach the U.S. border and the moral journey of a… More
  Part immigrant drama and part crime thriller, this stirring film is one of the rare instances where I was begging it to be longer. Writer/director Cary Fukunaga intertwines two tales, a southern Mexican family riding atop a train car to reach the U.S. border and the moral journey of a gang member who turns on his brothers during a crisis of conscious. Everybody is on the run, from the border patrols to the blood-thirsty gang members seeking vengeance. Fukunaga gives this tale startling realism without diverting to self-consciously docu-drama camerawork. I was fascinated by the details of life atop a train, the determination of these family members for a better life, and I was thrilled with the many near misses and escapes. Sin Nombre is such an accomplished movie that it?s hard to believe that it is Fukunaga?s first feature film. It mixes social commentary with film noir, an unlikely romance and plenty of naturalistic performances. The cinematography is gorgeous and crisp, beautifully showcasing the squalor and arresting countryside. My one complaint is that the movie gets into a new gear of added conflict, and then it quickly comes to an end at an all too brief 96 minutes. I really could have done with another 20-30 minutes of our main characters on the run for their lives. Sin Nombre roughly translates to ?the nameless? and I can all but assure you that Fukunaga is a filmmaker who will most definitely not remain nameless. Nate?s Grade: A-

• danny d

  
  a great example of near perfect story telling. the story pulls some conventional punches, but lays them out through some wonderful originality as well. definitely one of the most gritty and heart wrenching films of the year, the film is careful not to glorify anything, leaving it up… More
  a great example of near perfect story telling. the story pulls some conventional punches, but lays them out through some wonderful originality as well. definitely one of the most gritty and heart wrenching films of the year, the film is careful not to glorify anything, leaving it up to the viewer to make their way through a dark story to see why any of it matters. a great film.

• Luke B

  
  A fairly impressive gangster/romance/drama. It tells a story of a gangster trying to break free from the gang life, a girl trying to break into the US and a young boy breaking into the gang. For all it's powerful storytelling, the film leaves it's characters at a distance,… More
  A fairly impressive gangster/romance/drama. It tells a story of a gangster trying to break free from the gang life, a girl trying to break into the US and a young boy breaking into the gang. For all it's powerful storytelling, the film leaves it's characters at a distance, making them fairly simplified. The gangsters are just gangsters, vial and dangerous, with no humanity. The violence is nowhere near as shocking as it should be, but the performances keep this film alive. There's a lot to appreciate here, but most of it can be found in more accomplished films.

• Mark H

  
  Tense, unrelentingly grim drama of two people whose paths cross violently atop a moving train: a Honduran girl attempting to emigrate to the US with her family, and a Mexican gang member attempting to rob them. Film's ability to seamlessly combine a story about immigration with… More
  Tense, unrelentingly grim drama of two people whose paths cross violently atop a moving train: a Honduran girl attempting to emigrate to the US with her family, and a Mexican gang member attempting to rob them. Film's ability to seamlessly combine a story about immigration with gang warfare is fascinating. The action feels completely authentic in its gritty portrayal. Impressive feature debut for 31-year-old Californian, Cary Joji Fukunaga.

• William D

  
  "Sin Nombre" (Spanish for nameless) is a tough, serious, and beautiful film with an uncompromising view of Latin American poverty and social decay. It is the best film I've seen so far this year. First-time writer/director [B]Cary Fukunaga[/B] is a prodigy. What a… More
  "Sin Nombre" (Spanish for nameless) is a tough, serious, and beautiful film with an uncompromising view of Latin American poverty and social decay. It is the best film I've seen so far this year. First-time writer/director [B]Cary Fukunaga[/B] is a prodigy. What a thrilling new talent. Not surprisingly, he was named Best Director at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. The main characters are a man and woman about 21 years old who meet on top of a freight train in Mexico. (Yes, they are literally on top of a moving train.) The train is bound for the United States, where they and the hundreds of others sitting alongside them hope to build new lives. He is from the local area in Mexico. She walked all the way from Honduras to find a U.S.-bound train. (Yes, she literally walked from Honduras, her feet bloodied from the ordeal.) He is trying to escape gang warfare; she is trying to escape poverty. The circumstances under which they meet are extremely violent. Word of caution: "Sin Nombre" does not pull any punches. The brutal underbelly of Latin American poverty is exposed fully. This is not a film for the faint of heart. Guess how many people on the train will make it to the United States. Ninety percent? 50%? 1%? What happens to those who don't make it? What could be so hard about riding a train to the U.S.? Watch and learn. But "Sin Nombre" is far from a social-studies lesson. We learn so much about the characters, especially about the young man, that we become emotionally invested in the story. The narrative is aided by a remarkable set of acting performances, especially from [B]Edgar Flores[/B], the male lead. Flores, who has acted in only one other film, is a real find and deserves consideration for a Best Actor Oscar. He is the kind of actor who can convey a character's soul just with his eyes. Flores' brooding introspection is reminiscent of Heath Ledger's best work. In fact, Ledger and Flores look uncannily alike. Flores' character has been in a gang for years but has begun to have second thoughts. Several violent encounters and a dramatic heat-of-the-moment decision cause his life to suddenly turn, unleashing consequences that put his life in grave danger. "Sin Nombre" does a wonderful job keeping the drama taut but not letting it take over the film. The film never devolves into a chase movie. The director's attention always is on the characters' inner lives, even when they're in the midst of whirlwind drama. Rarely does a film come along that is interesting for the mind, soulful for the heart, and pulse-quickening to keep you on edge. It's all there with "Sin Nombre." Thanks to Focus Features for giving Americans the chance to see this memorable and thought-provoking film.

• Rico Z

  
  Sin Nombre is a heavy, hard-hitting dramatic thriller that breathes new life into the age-old cinematic representation of illegal immigrants and their plight. This movie is jam-packed with so much tension, suspense, visceral visuals, down-to-earth acting and memorable… More
  Sin Nombre is a heavy, hard-hitting dramatic thriller that breathes new life into the age-old cinematic representation of illegal immigrants and their plight. This movie is jam-packed with so much tension, suspense, visceral visuals, down-to-earth acting and memorable moments--you'll agree that this is what movie-making is all about. A novice director and a relatively unknown cast actually help this movie detach itself from the cliches that an immigrant's story comes attached with. This story combines not only the plot of a journey to a better land by a few--but intermingles a noir-styled revenge/manhunt storyline in the mix and you've got a brilliant movie. A mixed-up teen named Willy is anxious to escape his life of crime while another teen named Sayra is en route to a better life in New Jersey from Honduras. A life-changing event will bring them together and they will have to travel atop a freight train (like many other immigrants) in order for them both to escape their pasts and their deeds. The movie is a top-notch thriller and a balanced representation of what it's like to be an immigrant--and how the perils of crossing the American border is the least of these people's concerns. There are a million obstacles that they must overcome on their arduous journey across numerous borders (literal and figurative) and throughout a landscape that is fraught with predators of all sorts--including those who hunger for blood and revenge. This was a great film to behold and it kept me more than engaged. I was on the edge of my seat watching the exploits of these vividly colorful characters--and truly empathizing with them. The cinematography is slightly reminiscent of City of God (partly because it was the same cinematographer as the television series based on that Mireilles film.) And every shot was beautifully composed and executed. Not bad for a film shot in just six weeks with a limited budget; no storyboards and a cast comprised of mostly untrained actors and extras--by a newbie director.

• Byron B

  
  A story about the journey of two young people from different backgrounds toward the American border. Paulina Gaitan as Sayra and Edgar Flores as Willy both shine as the stars. She is a Honduran youth who begins the long journey to America with her father and brother. Many travel… More
  A story about the journey of two young people from different backgrounds toward the American border. Paulina Gaitan as Sayra and Edgar Flores as Willy both shine as the stars. She is a Honduran youth who begins the long journey to America with her father and brother. Many travel methods are utilized and all the while the travelers must avoid authorities. This portion of the story is slow because not much is spoken and Sayra's family members don't have much personality. Meanwhile, Willy is a member of a gang in Mexico where he is just approaching manhood (at least according to the gang's standards). Smiley (Ferrer) looks up to Willy as a sort of older brother figure and is just being initiated into the gang. The gang initiations are brutal, but I am assured by my brother-in-law, who is from Central America, that the portrayal is very real. The young boy who plays Smiley also commands attention on the screen as he skillfully combines innocence with tragic coldblooded-ness. The relationship that develops when Sayra meets Willy and Willy becomes Sayra's protector is the low-key heart of the picture.

• Mike N

  
  An immigrant tale, a nowhere-to-run Mexican gangster movie, and a bond formed over a gripping moment of humanity... from a first-time Japanese-American filmmaker (Cary Fukunaga). Yeah, a melting pot, indeed. The first 20 minutes of this film were as gripping and visceral as any… More
  An immigrant tale, a nowhere-to-run Mexican gangster movie, and a bond formed over a gripping moment of humanity... from a first-time Japanese-American filmmaker (Cary Fukunaga). Yeah, a melting pot, indeed. The first 20 minutes of this film were as gripping and visceral as any this year, fully and naturally immersing the viewer into these worlds -- Sayra and her filthy railyard and train-top trek north (to the US) from Honduras, and El Casper's place in the frightening world of shirtless, God-worshipping Mexican gangs -- with facial tats that would give the Maori's a run for their money. Even if the arcs seem familiar, it's told through an authentic premise, both gritty and sensitive at the same time. The suspense is subtle but palpable, as the fleeing El Casper struggles to outrun the world of Mexican gangsterdom, even on a train, while Sayra sees hope in him, even if it means thwarting her journey to extended family in New Jersey. The movie could not fully overcome a predictable outcome, but was otherwise a satisfying and mostly original experience.

• Walter M

  
  [font=Century Gothic]In "Sin Nombre," Horacio(Gerardo Taracena) has been deported to his native Honduras from New Jersey and is planning to return to his new family at the earliest opportunity, taking along his grown daughter Sayra(Paulina Gaitan) and brother… More
  [font=Century Gothic]In "Sin Nombre," Horacio(Gerardo Taracena) has been deported to his native Honduras from New Jersey and is planning to return to his new family at the earliest opportunity, taking along his grown daughter Sayra(Paulina Gaitan) and brother Orlando(Guillermo Villegas). Along the way, he has them memorize a phone number and mention what an adventure this is but he does not bring up the border patrol agents or the roving gangs. Casper(Edgar Flores) belongs to one such gang in Chiapas, ruled over by Lil Mago(Tenoch Huerta), and is sponsoring Smiley(Kristian Ferrer) for membership. Initiation is particularly brutal, involving a mass beatdown and the execution of a rival gang member. At the same time, Lil Mago notices something is off with Casper which could involve him seeing his downtown girlfriend Martha(Diana Garcia) when he is supposed to be on gang business.[/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Sin Nombre" is an engrossing and beautiful movie about the emigrants' journey from Honduras through Mexico towards the United States.(It helps that a couple of times in the movie the characters' voyage is updated on a map.) As dangerous as the journey is, there is a strength and resiliency in their never giving up in striking out for a land full of unknowns. Trust never comes easy as the emigrants have to help and look out for each other. Along the same lines, the gang members also seek to remake themselves, first in taking new names and then tattoos which might serve a larger purpose. As violent and brutal as the gang members are, they never fall into caricature or cliche, especially Smiley who is at an age when perhaps there is still hope.[/font]

• Eduardo T

  
  Takes me back to the classic films. Most foreign films remind me of the classics because of capitalism. Yes that is right, in a capitalist country films start to worsen. In a capitalist country all people care about is making money so they don't care if there films are good or… More
  Takes me back to the classic films. Most foreign films remind me of the classics because of capitalism. Yes that is right, in a capitalist country films start to worsen. In a capitalist country all people care about is making money so they don't care if there films are good or bad as long as they make money. In a socialist country where money is more equally distributed all they care about is making a good film considering that they won't make much on it. The whole point of capitalism is to advance. The more we advance the worse our films get. I worry for the future of film making(in the US). Socialist countries are behind the US so there films are like the classic American films. Of course this is not a socialist film but you should be able to get what I'm getting at. As for the film it self, it was really good. The plot was simple and to the point. There where no unnecessary scenes so people that love good story telling should like this. The dialogue was great. I understand Spanish so I didn't have to read the subtitles. There where some things that where off like the fact that La Mara Salvatrucha barely operates in Mexico. But things like that shouldn't bring down the rating. This is a film not a documentary. I would recommend this to people that like good story telling.

• Aladdin S

  
  Sin Nombre is a Spanish film about gangsters, the harsh life of illegal immigrants and a tragic love story. The plot is too interesting not to include it in this review, especially considering not many people have seen Sin Nombre. Teenager Sayra locates her father after many years and… More
  Sin Nombre is a Spanish film about gangsters, the harsh life of illegal immigrants and a tragic love story. The plot is too interesting not to include it in this review, especially considering not many people have seen Sin Nombre. Teenager Sayra locates her father after many years and they (and her uncle) decide to migrate to New Jersey. They realize it's a grueling journey but one worth taking. The other part is a thrilling gangster story filled with suspense and pain. Not giving too much away, one of the gangsters kills the leader of his gang to save Sayra. The film then turns into cat-and-mouse chase filled with suspense and emotion. I did not recognize any of the actors yet they all managed to give realistic performances, even the young gangster Smiley. The cinematography is quiet outstanding. The director captures the highs and lows of Mexico perfectly. After the first ten minutes, there is never a dull moment. This film is full of excitement but is also highly emotional at times. I also found it to be a useful character study of the complicated life of a gangster. It's depressing to see that so few people have seen one of the best movies of 2009. Sin Nombre is a film that will stay with you long after the credits start rolling.

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