My wife is sick to death of my raving about Sicario and the work of writer/actor Taylor Sheridan, but as a script writer for hire and UK script consultant with over 20 years’ experience in the business it’s good to still have enthusiasm!
Sicario is a brilliant film, with a unique proposition. Script writers should watch this as it plays with withholding information from the audience brilliantly. Indeed, on first viewing, you won’t be entirely sure what’s going on until pretty much near the end. You know you’re watching something brilliantly written and very compelling – but the final plot twists only reveal the characters true intentions in the final act.
It’s on second viewing that the pure writing craft becomes evident – the screenplay is a masterpiece of clever plotting and deft characterisations, and most importantly economy. Economy in plotting and dialogue is an underestimated art.
I won’t tell you too much about the plot except to say that it follows similar themes to Sheridan’s other two masterpieces Hell or High Water and Wind River. So, if you haven’t seen the film yet go and watch it – more than once. Oh, and I should mention the performances (all amazing) but Del Toro totally steals the show (watch the bit where he wakes up fitfully on the plane).
Matthew Cooper has been a script writer for hire for over 20 years. He’s written for most of the UK soaps, including writing award winning episodes of Emmerdale, EastEnders, Hollyoaks and Family Affairs and has been BAFTA shortlisted and Royal Television Society nominated as a script writer. He’s also a leading UK script consultant. You can find some of his broadcast credits on the IMDb. You can get in touch with Matthew on matcoop23@yahoo.co.uk or hire him on Peopleperhour