We first see them and the other members of the guerrilla group attacking a detention camp near the Mexican border, with overwhelming force, for the sole purpose of liberating all the migrants. During the raid, Perfidia surprises Col. Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn) in his office. Pistol in hand, her approach seems to be half-mocking and half-sexual-humiliation of the mesmerised Camp Commandant. The raid is successful and the entire group escapes, with all the migrants, in a couple of container lorries - and drive away in celebration.
Much later, on another coordinated disruptive mission, Perfidia is caught red-handed by Lockjaw as she was placing an explosive device in a vent above a toilet. Incredibly, this does not lead to her immediate arrest but, on his request, turns into a rough steamy hookup later that night with the Colonel! Cut to 16 years later and we see Willa Ferguson (Chase Infiniti), a confident light-skinned young woman practicing karate in a dojo run by Sensei Sergio (Benicio del Toro).
Later she's all dressed up at home in an untidy little house where her slightly drunk and high dad, Pat, now called Bob Ferguson, is reminding her that as they are in hiding from the authorities, so to be extra careful with the people she hangs out with (as it's her High School dance night). Unfortunately, later that night, the authorities come looking at the school dance led by Colonel Lockjaw. Luckily, Willa happens to be in the powder room and is suddenly confronted by a black woman she has never met before. It's Deandra (Regina Hall). She convinces the teen that she's an old confident and co-revolutionary of her father's and that they have to leave immediately or get caught for certain. The two leave out the back of the gym into the night.
It's Action from the word go here and we have a stellar cast playing larger-than-life characters that you can't imagine being anywhere else! Teyana Taylor, known also as a recording artist, is certainly the star of the first act as she is absolutely relentless with her gung-ho attitude to create total mayhem for the authorities. The heavily pregnant, bump out, scene of her emptying the magazine of a fully automatic rifle at the revolutionary's compound is a sight I will never unsee!
DiCaprio plays a great role of a guy who seems swept-up by all the events around him, but otherwise looks totally out of his depth as a revolutionary. But the quirkiest performance has to go to Sean Penn as Col. Lockjaw, who is the kookiest commanding officer I've ever seen - with his weird top-heavy haircut and a walk that makes him look like he's perpetually had an accident in his pants! There's a subplot involving some Far Right Country Club types trying to push their agenda, which I really wasn't sure needed to be taking up as much screen time - as the official authorities themselves seemed determined enough to crush The French 75 movement.
Chase Infiniti is totally brilliant as the feisty and resourceful teenage daughter of Perfidia and... (no spoilers here)! This actor is the outright star of the film as every time she's on screen I was totally rooting for her character. The cinematography gave me a strong Quentin Tarantino vibe as there's always a lot going on and it all keeps you on the edge of your seat. As a result, the 2 hour 50 minute runtime went quicker than I expected. Oh - and look out for an awesomely tense car chase on a desert highway. All in all I really liked this action thriller and could have easily watched it again.
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