Sicario (2015) Directed by Denis Villeneuve. Starring: Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro. IMDB says: “An idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by an elected government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.”
This film is marketed wrong. When you see the trailer, it looks like a who’s the hitman (or hitwoman) and who isn’t. It makes it look like a race against time to try and stop said hitman (or hitwoman). That’s not what this film is at all. This film is a dark and bleak look at the ugly side of the war on drugs. The side that we maybe get a sniff at in the papers before some tragedy happens and out attention is taken elsewhere. The film takes you on a journey into darkness whether you want it to or not. But oddly enough, once you do, you want more. A LOT more.
Directed by Dennis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Enemy) Sicario is about FBI agent Kate Macer (a phenomenal Emily Blunt) and what happens when she joins a special government task force dealing with the war on drugs. She begins her odyssey in Arizona, then travels to Texas, and eventually ends up in Mexico. She works alongside Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and Alejandro (a super badass Benicio Del Toro) as they plan to… well, it’s kinda hard to say exactly what they’re doing. Hell, half the film you’re trying to figure that out. All we really know is Agent Macer signs up for what she thinks will be one thing, but as she muddles through the darkness (literal and metaphorical) she soon discovers things are not at all what they seem. I want to talk about this movie so so much, but I can’t. I want to talk about what this film is and what it does and how it does it. I want to discuss the parables and metaphors and symbolism, but I can’t. I don’t want to spoil anything for you, and like most films, the less you know going in, the better your film experience will be.
The performances in this film are astounding. Blunt, Brolin, and Del Toro are a three headed beast, at the center of this tour de force. I would be shocked if they don’t receive nominations. SHOCKED. There are some solid performances from Victor Garber, Jon Bernthal, and Daniel Kaluuya, but they’re greatly overshadowed. I mean greatly. It’s to the point where I want a sequel or prequel or something that is better focused on these characters. I want to learn so much more about them.
This film may also be the best looking film of the year. It’s incredibly gorgeous. Cinematographer Roger Deakins (Shawshank, No Country for Old Men, Skyfall) has truly outdone himself. I’ve never seen more beautiful night scenes in film in all of my life. The shadow fight in Skyfall took my breath away, but this film kept taking and taking and taking my breath away. Coupled with it’s incredibly jarring score from Johann Johannsson, this film is the tensest film I’ve seen since Buried. There are moments when I’m literally adjusting the collar of my shirt and looking for air to breathe in.
This film won’t be for everyone, but it needs to be seen by everyone. Go see this film in theatres then go see it again and bring someone with you. I loved this film and will gladly see anything that Dennis Villeneuve does from this moment forward.
FTS SCORE: 90%
Sicario is currently
in theaters nationwide.