Whoever recommended this film to me should be shot, I thought this was the worst film I had ever seen (and I’ve seen some very low budget films). Whoever nominated this film must be taking as much drugs as the kids in the film are, I can’t see how a film as bad as this can be nominated for so many awards? This is the only film I have ever seen where I though very seriously about leaving the cinema (or going to sleep in the cinema), several times. But I only wanted to stay in order to see the ending, which was as bad as the rest of the film. This film has got an all-star cast, which makes it hard for me to believe they knew what they were doing? Perhaps they were on something too?
~~The Film~~ The film has several story lines going on (much like Pulp Fiction, but less interesting). There is the story line about the Mexican side of the drugs enforcing, the American side of drugs enforcing and the story of the newly appointed drugs master (in charge of enforcing the drugs laws in America) whose daughter is a junkie.
The film starts of in Mexico (with subtitles) and swiftly moves between the story lines to get them going. This makes the start very slow, as each story line has to start, when moving between the story lines there is a title saying where in Mexico or America the story is now (this continues ‘till about half way through the film).
~~Mexican Story Line~~ This story is about two cops in Mexico enforcing the drugs laws over in Mexico. They want to put this one cartel down and are approached by a general, who in return for a favour will help then over turn this cartel. This story goes on for a while and in the end it turns out that the general wants to help the cops overturn one cartel, so that another one can take over the territory. The cops now working for a cartel, which they didn’t know about go to tell the DEA in America in the process one of these cops dies, but the general and the other cartel are taken down.
~~American Story Line 1~~ This story is about two cops making a bust of a drug trafficker. When they question him they offer him safety in return for the names of the people who are running the operation in America. This person is taken down and a court trial ensues. Meanwhile the wife of this person leans what her husband does and not wanting to be poor starts to try to help her husband, after a threat by the drug cartel nearly taken down by the Mexican cops. Any way the person gets away because the witness is killed.
~~American Story Line 2~~ This story is about the newly appointed chief drugs enforcer, but it is not really about him it is about him not being able to do his job as he has to help his daughter fight her addictions. In this side of the film you see a numerous amount of drug taking (smoking, inhaling, snorting etc…), and the consequences of it. One of the girl’s friends over dosed and they took him to hospital and left him or the doorstep, but then got arrested. Anyway the daughter is sent to a clinic but runs away and starts to sell her body to provide for her addiction. In the end you see her cured of her addiction. Meanwhile her father is meeting with various people including the Mexican General (a mistake, which come up later).
As you can see by now this is a very long winded film and goes on and on and on… I would not recommend this film if you were expecting a highly paced action film, as this is the total opposite. It is almost boring!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2000 - Drama - Director: Gregory Hoblit - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Andre Braugher, Jim Caviezel, Noah Emmerich, Dennis Quaid, Shawn Doyle, Elizabeth Mitchell
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Interesting to read an opinion from a different perspective than my own... I thought it was one of the best films I've seen in a long time... good opinion though... SB.
Manx 13.02.2001 11:19
I agree with your points about the film. I thought much the same myself but seemed to have enjoyed it more than you. On another note, I've noticed that you're reading and rating very much more - this is certainly the way to go, it keeps Ciao alive and as people get to know you they become more interested in what you have to say. Your read rate should improve. Also, by reading and rating fairly you're doing yourself more favours than by, say, giving everyone a "very helpful" and a comment along the nices of "nice, I'm off to add you to my Circle of Trust." Thanks.
Featuring a huge cast of characters, the ambitious and breathtakingTrafficis a tapestry of ... more
three separate stories woven together by a common theme: the war on drugs. Bold in scope, it showcases Steven Soderbergh at the top of his game, directing a peer...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Featuring a huge cast of characters, the ambitious and breathtakingTrafficis a tapestry of ... more
three separate stories woven together by a common theme: the war on drugs. Bold in scope, it showcases Steven Soderbergh at the top of his game, directing a peer...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon...
A high-ranking judge with a vendetta against drugs learns his own daughter is a cocaine ... more
addict - a San Diego housewife must suddenly take over her husband's drug dealing business when he is arrested - a Mexican police officer struggles to do the right ...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Traffic is the Academy Award winning thriller set in the world of drug trafficking, from ... more
the cartels in Mexico to the wealthy dealers across America. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, Traffic evokes the high stakes and high risks of the drug trade, as see...
![Traffic [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78540259.jpg "Traffic [DVD] [2001]")
Feb 11th, 2001
very helpful by (76%):
helpful by (19%):
somewhat helpful by (5%):
