"Sicario" has been slowly making its way through the festival circuit, earning some strong reviews when it bowed at Cannes in May. It recently played at the Toronto International Film Festival and wowed audiences who have sat through the doldrums of late summer, waiting for smart and sophisticated entertainment.
Thankfully, "Sicario" delivers and rewards audiences' patience. The film is a slow-burn thriller, starting with a bang and sprinkling thrilling moments of action and startling violence throughout. The middle portion takes its time evolving and developing the story but the movie is never boring. Director Dennis Villeneuve skillfully builds tension in the film's slower moments. Some of the most unsettling moments of "Sicario" come from what lies beneath the surface and what might be lurking around a corner.
Villeneuve directs first-time writer Taylor Sheridan's script and works in conjunction with everyone's favorite cinematographer, Roger Deakins, to create a sparse, almost dystopian atmosphere. Set in Mexico, Deakins beautifully captures the arid landscape, creating a haunting wasteland, where you only hear the echoes of gun fire in the distance.
Emily Blunt headlines as Kate, a stoic FBI agent, who uncovers several dead bodies in a drug house while on a raid. Her efforts get her selected to join a task force, which tries to bring down a kingpin in Mexico. Heading the operation is Matt (Josh Brolin), who employs the likes of Alejandro (Benicio del Toro), a morally ambiguous operative.
Kate is often left in the dark on the operation. She is told where to be and when to be there but is persona non grata when it comes to the specifics of the mission. Frustrated by the lingering question marks of her mission, Kate tries to dig a little deeper on her own.
Blunt is terrific as Kate, a determined and idealistic agent, who may not fit into such a big operation. Blunt's performance, as well of the film, call to mind recent movies such as "Zero Dark Thirty". Like Jessica Chastain in that film, Blunt plays Kate quietly, which makes her more effective. Both actresses play characters who rise above their gender roles, even when they are made to be the girl in a man's world. This is a testament to Sheridan, who wrote a strong and fully-realized character for Blunt. It's a very interesting role for the actress, whose career is making a smooth transition into darker and more interesting roles.
In the supporting roles, del Toro stands out as Alejandro, delivering an Oscar nomination-worthy performance. Watching the evolution and nuances of his character is one of the film's highlights.
In just a few films, Villeneuve has become a master of elevating the been-there procedural. His 2013 film, "Prisoners", wasn't a groundbreaking kidnapped thriller but Villeneuve (along with Deakins, again) created a tense and uncomfortable atmosphere. "Prisoners" was a great film for that reason and so is "Sicario".
Some may find the middle of "Sicario" a little too relaxed but you will be so immersed in the film's seedy world.
| Movie title | Sicario |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2015 |
| MPAA Rating | R |
| Our rating | |
| Summary | A slow-burn thriller that delivers thrills and tension. |
