Sin Nombre

It takes a certain kind of hard-core sociopath to tattoo gang insignia over his entire face, and Li'l Mago is just that kind. You do not want to get on this guy’s bad side.

But, Casper (a.k.a. Willy), a reluctant teen member of the MS13 gang in Mexico, does just that. His girlfriend, whom he has tried to keep hidden for her own safety, finds him at his gang hideout – and they both pay a steep price for it. Willy will have to endure unfathomable hardships after breaking away – in a big way – from his brothers in the gang. He has no choice but to go on the run, and at that point the two separate stories that have comprised the first two-thirds of the movie intertwine.

The first story concerns a lovely, tough teenage girl, Sayra, who is trying to get to the U.S. with her father and uncle. They, like scads of other Mexicans, are riding atop a freight train and trying to stay one step ahead of the border patrol. Mr. Scary Tattoo Face and his sidekicks attempt to rob Sayra and her family, and the fates of our two main characters become linked.

Sayra fears getting caught by the border patrol, but wily Willy lives moment to moment, barely one step ahead of his former gang members, who are determined to kill him. Sayra is determined to cast her lot with Willy, although he warns her he is nothing but trouble.

Tough, gritty, violent but with moments of genuine and affecting tenderness ... this Spanish-language (with subtitles) flick is one not to be missed. See it!