A Shadowy, Intense Film of Suspense

Rating: 8/10 (22 January 2016)

"Sicario" starts with a dramatic scene of police in action. At first, the viewer is ignorant of what is going down; then the story comes into focus and revelation after revelation changes the viewer's understanding as the tension ratchets up.
Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) is a seasoned FBI agent with experience in kidnapping cases and she is part of the team in that first action, as they invade a house where they believe hostages are being held. In the wake of that mission, she is given a chance to work with a task force with obscure authority. They promise her an opportunity to bring down those who were responsible for the deaths of two of her colleagues.
As Kate enters the shadowy world of the War on Drugs, she is a witness, our surrogate, our eyes. The deeper the story goes, the more the operations feel outside authorized legal parameters. And Kate, who has always operated strictly within her authority, feels more nervous.
Also on the task force is Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro), a quiet, inscrutable man who is intense. We eventually discover his background, his intentions, and his loyalties. That is the real story of "Sicario", though it is also about Kate's journey and her education (and ours).
It is tempting to write about the political ramifications of the film's story, but that would reveal too much. I will only say that the prime movers in the shadowy world of "Sicario" are granted their powers by those who purport to despise them.
Much of the film's atmosphere, and its suspense, are the result of superior photography and a wonderfully moody score. The acting is--like the story and the scenery--sparse but elemental to the film's tone. It is easy to see why "Sicario" is considered one of the best films of this year.