When i went to see traffic at the cinema i have to say i was excited. I have always loved the cinema and i have a real passion for film, hence my undertaking of film studies at A level at school. I had heard alot about traffic in the media and i was under the impression i was going to view a multi-level, well acted and compelling thriller. Now part of that description is true, but which part? The best description of traffic is as an epic insight into the issue of drugs in American society, it is multi-levelled in that it views its subject matter from all angles. The tag line "no one gets away clean" is a good one, the director ensures that as the audience we see many different characters in conflicting roles as they are all affected by a single problem, drugs. The actual acting and cinematography of the film is very good, there is very tight use of mise en scene ( what is presented in any one scene) by the director, he ensures we see only what he wants us to and this achieves great dramatic affect. Where traffic lacks strength is the overall pace of the film, although dealing with an interesting and compelling subject matter it seems to linger too long in any one place, as a member of the audience you feel neglected, as the plot seems to forget about you. Obviously there must be balance by a director in the portrayal of his characters and here the lack of balance lets the film down. i cannot criticise the film to harshly because it is a good film but it is not a GREAT film, and to be quite honest that is what i has expected.
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: 2002 - Drama - Director: Todd Haynes - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Viola Davis, James Rebhorn, Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert, Patricia Clarkson
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
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...