Harsh reality handled beautifully

Rating: 10/10 (16 January 2020)

Of all the things this movie is, it is first and foremost honest.
Yeah we want Emily Blunt to kick doors down, shoot the bad guys, and overpower any of the men who consistently overpower her. However, the female FBI operative who is new to the drug war and constantly in the dark about what is going on cannot do any of those things and is forced to submit time and time again as the strong exploit the weak.
Set against the backdrop of the Mexican drug war but not about it, Sicario asks how far you would go to actually make a difference, and what it would take to push you further. Emily Blunt time and time again makes the right and good decision, and then gets shot, abused, or otherwise traumatized with no payoff. Real life is much like this: despite a hero's or-in this case-heroine's best efforts, the strong often just take what they want.
Backed by beautiful cinematography and a constant tension from the heartbeat-like soundtrack and personal camera work, Sicario weaves complex themes together into an intense yet digestible movie.