logatherum Since I am immersed in American culture and society, I almost never watch international films, as I have never really taken the interest in doing so, or even had an opportunity to. This film is really the first international film I have ever seen, and I am glad I watched it. I enjoyed the film overall for a lot of reasons. I thought it was interesting how the viewer is forced to feel sympathy for immigrants when watching, as it shows the reality and how sad this struggle is for people like Sayra and Casper. I think that usually in American movies, immigrants are portrayed as very tough and criminal, and you assume that ALL immigrants are involved with drugs and gangs, which is NOT true, and this film really showed just how emotional the journey is for them. In contrast, in this film, you get a chance to know the characters and really understand that they are people struggling, but only in a different way than us, and we are NOT any better than them. I also liked the bond between Sayra and Casper, and for me, when Casper was shot and killed (by a little boy)! I really felt burdened by the utter sadness and loneliness Sayra was left in, when she was sobbing in the water, surrounded by violence. Although there was chaos around her, it was interesting that she found a secluded, shady place under a tree/ bush where the water was still and calm to completely break down into hysterics, and I think the irony of that made it all the more real and emotional. I think that American movies often have a happy ending to them, and are expected to by Americans. However, I appreciate how in this international film, the ending is NOT happy, and it is overall a very serious and upsetting movie, which, I think, that if it were American, it would be less emotionally heavy, more comical, and end happily, with probably not as many or no deaths at all. However, this is not usually how reality is, and it was for sure a different perspective for me to see, and I would not change the ending. If you were in the shoes of a Mexican immigrant traveling alone, would you join a gang if given the chance if it meant you could potentially keep you safer?Do you prefer the stereotypical "American happy ending" or a more realistic ending like in this film?

Nihil I really enjoyed this film because it tells us a great story. It starts off a bit dull and looks like a movie with a low budget and people that aren't star actors, but it shows us how people live in different parts of the world. For example, the gang violence in Mexico is frowned upon by the general population of Mexico.The gangs are in control but in this movie they did not seem to bother the ordinary people as much as their own gang members, rival gangs and the people they know or love. I can only recall gangs bothering ordinary people once or twice through out the whole film. This movie really keeps you up on your feet cause you never know whats going to happen next with the series of twists and turns as the movie progresses. This movie is not like any ordinary American film that we are used to, there is no happy ending. Although I felt like the ending was not as harsh as it could have been; to me the ending of the film was moderate. I learned many things from this film of which I did not know before. One being that the border is not actually a giant wall. In the movie it was portrayed as a.... The movie made me more knowledgeable about their living conditions in Mexico and the great deal of pain that people in Mexico go through to come to America.The movie made me think about how the lives of some people in Mexico can be so poor because of the gangs or by even having gangs in the area. However, some people in Mexico do live normal lives with no gangs related activity around them.

olrovin This film is definitely not an American film as you will soon realize once you begin watching it. It is dark and violent and, unlike most American films, there is no happy ending. The directing was very well done, and I really enjoyed all the different camera angles that really gave you a sense of the perspectives of each character. I think this film captured the unfortunate reality of the Mexican gang life as well as the danger of trying to travel from Central America to the American border. The main characters seemed quite complex and very realistic which I appreciated because it made the movie more real. Do not watch this film if gunshots, violence, and/or blood make you squeamish because there is definitely a lot of that. Overall, I thought Sin Nombre was a captivating, sometimes uncomfortable film that did a very good job of portraying a side of certain realities in Central America while getting a message across. I'd give it 4.5 stars out of 5.

timothy_480 Story/Pacing: This story feels very original and real. When it comes down to it, this film is following opposites who slowly become attracted to one another but it is told from a unique perspective making the film feel really genuine and authentic. The film evokes many emotions without thrusting clichés and corny metaphors in front of you and it also keeps moving at a steady pace. The violence is at times brutal but thats mostly due to its context as opposed to the physical actions on screen. The only downside is that several of the minor characters are just not developed enough despite being in the first two acts of the film and acquiring the viewers interests. Acting: Exceptional and never an unconvincing moment. Sayra and El Casper have believable chemistry while the gang leaders are chillingly evil but the best actor is Kristyan Ferrer who plays El Smiley. You feel his pain, his anger, his happiness and the young actor does it all without breaking a sweat.Technically/Music: Simplicity certainly works for this film. Overall the film looks somewhat like a documentary and the music accompanying the visuals is subtle. This only adds to the film's authenticity and allows the story and the characters to keep the viewers interested. Overall, the film is very entertaining, original and emotional and feels very real. Its a film that survives on its plot as opposed to technical capabilities and at just over 90 minutes its a fast paced easy movie.