#TIFF15: “SICARIO”

Every once in a while we get the opportunity to see a Film at TIFF which leaves us shaken and in all honesty, the last one that affected me that deeply was 12 Years a Slave, going-on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Sicario, the latest from celebrated Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, is a Film which deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as that contemporary Steve McQueen classic.

Sicario takes us on a riveting ride with Kate Macy (Emily Blunt) as she accepts a joint-government mission in Juarez, Mexico to uncover the identity of a mysterious drug lord, whom caused  the death of her colleagues in an operation turned fatal in Arizona. The true reason why she is chosen is somewhat of a mystery. She meets mercenary Alejandro (Benicio del Toro) who doesn’t appear to be working  for the U.S. government and with a purpose none to clear other than it being eluded to that something shameful has happened to him. Kate reports to Matt (Josh Brolin), who also is careful not to unveil too much, clearly withholding information.

We go underground into dark tunnels of Juarez, unsure whom to trust at any turn on a mission in which several liberties are taken much to the disapproval of a by-the-book Kate. Actions are taken and only explained after, keeping us invested fully along the way with burning questions.

Villeneuve accomplishes a great triumph in storytelling with Sicario, a devastatingly-good Thriller. Blunt acts as our eyes in this dangerous, corrupt underworld, a real presence in all her vulnerability. An armed and fearsome del Toro aims with precision, delivering his best work in quite some time.

eOne Films release SICARIO, which is sure to make a great impact come awards season. During TIFF ’15, it screens as follows:

SICARIO
Fri Sep 11 10:00 PM
PRINCESS OF WALES

Sat Sep 12 11:00 AM
VISA SCREENING ROOM (ELGIN)