Traffic - A Critical Review
 Feb 26th, 2001
Advantages:
Fantastic acting, original incite into the drug trafficking world .
Disadvantages:
Not that entertaining . Catherine Zeta Jones looking awful and unconvinving .
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
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Characters / Performances
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  Alex1226
About me:
I powerlift, I write poetry, I watch films. Oh and Im a weirdo!
Member since:18.01.2001
Reviews:24
Members who trust:7
Review rated by 6 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
Steven Soderbergh follows up his successful ‘Erin Brockovich’ with an uneasy portrayal of the drug-trafficking industry between Mexico and America. The film is essentially split into three stages of the cocaine industry, with Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones and Benicio Del Toro (Snatch, The Usual Suspects) taking the leading roles in each stage. Douglas is presiding over his new role as drug tsar-elect, and whilst he is immersing himself in talks with ‘experts’ and leaders of various groups, he learns of his daughter’s own drug problem and dependence when one of her sixteen year-old friends overdoses, thus not only compromising his position, but learning of the impotency of his role and the power of the drug barons. The scene in which Douglas cracks while giving a speech is brilliantly acted.
Catherine Zeta Jones’ character finds her life falling apart when her husband is arrested for cocaine trafficking, and finds her friends have cut her off and the custody of their son is in question. As the trial of her husband approaches she finds herself drawn into the criminal underworld to protect her family, and even sets up her own drug smuggling operation. Benicio Del Toro stars as Javier Rodriguez Rodriguez, a Tijuana cop who manages to infiltrate a drugs cartel and befriend its leader General Salazar. He is accompanied by his wayward friend Manolo Sanchez (Jacob Vargas).
Each of the three ensemble dramas overlap to some extent, but it is the third of the three stories that is the most interesting, with Benicio Del Toro stealing the show, and it is shot with a distinct filter to indicate the harshness of the environment. ‘Traffic’ is a serious film, but its disquieting effects make it less enjoyable and entertaining than it might have been, although the two DEA agents played by Don Cheadle (Boogie Nights) and the ubiquitous Luis Guzman (Carlito’s Way) provide admirable comedic relief. Zeta Jones is both unconvincing in the role and is also looking less glamorous than she used to be, even accounting for the fact that she is pregnant. This is one area where the film fails. Her character moves far too quickly from utter condemnation of her husband’s actions, to being a cocaine baroness.
The film does succeed in not making any moral claims, but it also hints that there can be very little done to tame both drug use and drug trafficking with ever more sophisticated measures being taken by the traffickers in evading detection. The acting is superb and the assembled cast is the best I have seen this year, yet it is strangely not as entertaining nor as enjoyable as it should have been. However, although the film is nearly two and a half hours long, Traffic does not drag at all, such is the compelling nature of the acting and the direction.
Overall 6/10
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05.03.2001 15:41
A superb review! The only possible fault is that I fear it may provide just a little too much information. I wanted to see this film anyway, and after reading your review I have every intention of doing so, but, for example, if the scene of Michael Douglas cracking is so great, it may have been nice to have not know it would take place within a speech. I will now watch this at the first available opportunity.
26.02.2001 19:20
Very refreshing to read a review that doesn't just concentrate on the good things about a movie. I haven't seen the film, but thanks to you, I now have a good idea on what it's about. Thanks.