SIN NOMBRE (R)
Starring Edgar Flores, Paulina Gaytan, Tenoch Huerta, and Kristian Ferrer
Released by Focus Features

The stunning Spanish import Sin Nombre is in the grand tradition of classic life in crime epics like The Godfather, Goodfellas, and City of God. While this masterful independent gem is certainly smaller in scale than the previously mentioned classics, it still packs a powerful punch.

Sin Nombre tells two stories simotaneously. The first revolves around El Casper and his young brother Smiley. As we're introduced to these siblings, El Casper is having his brother jumped into one of the most feared gangs in Honduras. The second story focuses on Sayra, a sweet young girl who chooses to accompany her long lost father to the Texas border. The journey is a long and perilous one, but Sayra desperately wants to live the American dream so she decides the numerous risks (immigration police, very little money, etc.) are well worth it. A horrific incident brings these seemingly opposite tales to a head on collision. Shortly thereafter, Sin Hombre switches gears and evolves into a compelling and surprisingly poignant tale of redemption and compassion.

Everything about Sin Nombre is authentic. Nothing feels forced or labored. The scenes of gang activity are brutal and unflinching, but there's nothing gratuitous or exploitive about the violence in this film. To these individuals, this is day to day life. This is all they know. And Sin Nombre not only goes into terrifying detail in its depiction of how an individual is initiated into one of these gangs, but it also explains why its virtually impossible for someone to escape this particular life style once they've chosen to be a part of it.

Gifted Writer/Director Cary Fukunaga has fashioned a personal (and powerful) film with spectacular cinematography (if Adriano Goldman's camera work is not recognized come awards season I'll be really surprised), a gorgeous score (courtesy of Marcelo Zarvos), and unforgettable performances. Edgar Flores is a revelation as El Casper, a teenage gang member at a crossroads in his life. Paulina Gaytan is innocent and vulnerable as the beautiful Sayra, a young girl who will strike up a most unexpected bond. As tremendous as the leads are it is Tenoch Huerta who leaves the biggest impression as tatooed gang leader Lil Mago. Huerta creates one of the most terrifying screen monsters in recent memory. There's a scene in Sin Hombre when Lil Mago orders the execution of a rival gang member all while cradling his new born baby in his arms. Positively chilling. It made the hairs on my neck stand on end.

Sin Nombre is an unforgettable motion picture experience. I applaud Fukunaga and crew for never straying from the truth. They follow through every step of the way, and while there are certainly portions of this film that are tough to sit through, I'll take honesty over the easy way out any day of the week. Further props to Producers Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna for lending their names to this project to ensure more exposure.

The summer season is in full swing, and already, we've seen a wide range of terrific Hollywood entertainments (Star Trek, Up, Drag Me to Hell, etc.) but as outstanding as those films are, this small, low budget gem emerges as the best film of the year thus far.