I am a keen movie goer and have dabbled in making the odd amateur movie myself (check out my home pa...
I am a keen movie goer and have dabbled in making the odd amateur movie myself (check out my home page for more). I used to spend a lot of time writing reviews of the movies I watched with only a limited audience. Now, with ciao I can share my reviews...
Member since:31.07.2000
Reviews:64
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I was attracted to going to see Traffic after being impressed by Steve Soderbergh's other films. Most notably 'Sex Lies and Videotape' and 'Erin Brockovich'. Once again he has proved his versatility as a director.
The film:
The film tells the story of a newly commissioned Drugs ambassador whose mission is to rid America of the drug problem. The film does not try to hide the fact that this is a near impossible task and makes for rather depressing viewing. However, the way in which it is presented is compelling. The whole movie is shot in a 'home video' way to make it feel more gritty and realistic. This works to great effect.
All of the scenes that occur in Mexico are shot in a almost colourless sepia affect. This serves two purposes, a) to let the audience know where they currently are and b) to portray Mexico as even more disturbing than America.
The drugs ambassador (played by Michael Douglas) also has to contend with the fact that his daughter is addicted to cocaine. This therefore makes his job all the more important but ironically at the same time even more impossible.
This is an extremely thought provoking film that will definitely disturb as its ultimate message appears to be saying that nothing can be done about the problem.
The Cast:
Michael Douglas once again plays the wealthy role that he is so well known for but this time you get to see him playing both a much more human role in the family scenes.
Don Cheadle plays one of two DEA agents whom throughout the film are desperately trying any legal method they can to make a drugs bust.
Benicio Del Toro plays the Mexican cop also trying to bust the same drugs cartel but with more questionable methods. It is worth pointing just how incredibly well Del Toro play this role. He is truly believable and deserves any award that is thrown at him.
Dennis Quaid plays the dodgy (though who isn't in this film) lawyer whose job it is to try to get the (guilty) drug trafficking husband of Catherine Zeta Jones out of prison. This is a fairly small role for Quaid but his appearances are memorable.
Catherine Zeta-Jones play the pregnant wife, though I'm not sure whether it is mentioned that she is pregnant in any of the film. Again, this is a relatively small but hugely significant role for her.
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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: 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
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...
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...
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
Advantages: Some of the best character acting seen in years, particularly in the smaller parts. Disadvantages: Dull, slow, annoying, over-long, too complicated, no real ending, over-the-top direction....the list is almost endless
superpricee 20.08.2001 (21.08.2001)
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Review of Traffic (DVD)
![Traffic [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78540259.jpg "Traffic [DVD] [2001]")
Mar 11th, 2001
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