The film is directed by Steven Soderbergh (Out of Sight/ Erin Brockenvich) and contains many high profile actors. This was a film nominated for some 8 Oscars and eventually winning 4 including 'Best Director' for Soderbergh. It is a film largely based on a mini series 'Traffik' which was on Channel 4 over 10 years ago. More information on this is contained on the 'Extra Features' of this DVD. We will be reviewing the Region 2 DVD version of the film.
--------What's the film about: The Storyline--------
There are 3 separate interrelated stories with 3 distinctive looks. Each has an overriding theme - that being the war on drugs.
In one story we see Michael Douglas play Robert Wakefield. He was an Ohio Supreme Court Judge and since has been appointed by the US President to be the new drugs czar. This story deals with himtrying to tackle the drugs problem for his country, yet at the same time sees his 16 year old daughter Caroline (played by Erika Christensen) getting involved in taking drugs (heroin) with friends. One has an overdose even. We see the struggle of Wakefield and his wife Barbara (played by Amy Irvine) trying to cope with the dilemma of their wayward daughter. Bearing in mind that their daughter is a straight A student this story does genuinely tell us how drug addiction can happen to anyone. It does
not matter the intelligence or eductaion or background of the person. This particular story is seen in a cool blue colour.
Catherine Zeta Jones plays Helena Ayala. Her husband is arrested on drugs charges. She is left as a single pregnant mother who has lived this luxury, glamorous life style believing her husband to be a bona fide businessman. We see her child being threatened and thereafter witness Helena do anything to get her husband off including taking over her husband's business ventures. Also in this story is Don Cheadle and Luis Guzman as Drug Enforcement Agents. This particular story is seen in normal bright colours to portray the wealth as well as glamour attributed to Helena.
Benicio Del Toro plays Javier Rodriguez who is the police officer in Tijuana, Mexico who needs to decide what he thinks is the right thing to do when corruption surrounds him from his bosses and colleagues. Benicio Del Toro won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role and it is not hard to see why. It really is a truly brilliant convincing performance and when watching you really feel how hard it is for Javier to do the right thing. These sections of the film shot in Mexico have yellow as the dominant colour.
It is very impressive how each story is linked and simple to ascertain which story you are viewing. Much of the acting is especially impressive and one can really relate to the characters and see the different problems drugs present to different people of todays society. It is a film which will make you think, appreciating that the drugs problem is ongoing and that the answers to solving the problem are hard to find (if not impossible)
--------Critical comments--------
In terms of criticism it is fair to say that this film does not do anything that has not been done before regarding the war on drugs. What can be said is that happens in the film is done well despite a lack of innovative ideas. There is no doubt that this is a very good film. The fact is you would expect a little more from this having won 4 Oscars. It is a 2 hour 20 minute film which can sometimes be hard viewing - you sometimes think to yourself , 'get on with it already'. For the most part though it is fine.
There is no subtitles for the English language sections of the film on the disc which is a tad annoying. This is something you would expect on a DVD. Thankfully the Spanish parts of the film are subtitled in English. Furthermore there is no commentary to accompany the film - another feature one comes to expect from DVDs nowadays.
--------DVD features--------
The film: our main entertainment.
Chapter Selection: select a scene with some 20 chapters in total.
Extra Features:
- Trailer: the standard DVD feature of the trailer of the film at hand.
- Interviews: there isinterviews with the main actors/actresses in the film including Michael Douglas, Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Erika Christensen as well as others. Also interviewed is Steven Soderbergh and the producers of the film and the screenwriter (Stephen Gagham). The interviews are all very brief and to the point. There is nothing ground breaking here. For instance the actors talk about their characters and working with fellow cast members and the director. Nevertheless it is an interviewing feature and worthwhile viewing.
- B-Roll: is certain scenes from the film where we see the process of the contructing those scenes. Nothing all that special.
- Deleted Scenes: these are actually very good and definately worth a watch. Most seem to involve the Helena storylne.
- Production Notes: reasonably detailed stuff. You can read about the film's history, gathering the cast and notes on the makers of the film as well as the cast members. Some of the notes are talked about in the interviews but the production notes are a good read nonetheless.
- Easter Egg: this is a very short Catherine Zeta Jones outtake. Not exactly the most impressive Easter Egg ever. To see it do the following: from the main menu select 'Extra Features and then 'Production Notes'. Now choose 'About The Cast' and go down to 'Catherine Zeta-Jones' and press left.
--------Final comments--------
It is definately worthwhile seeing this film. Much of the acting is splendid, and the film has been edited very well indeed. I would say if you are looking to buy it, do not spend too much. It is not a classic film by any means and the special features on this DVD are good at best. Overall it is worth viewing but if you are thinking of buying look to be spending £7 or less.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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
I've been watching the re-runs of the original series of Traffik ( on which this Film is taken ) on Digital TV recently, and whilst this is a good film, its not a patch on the series, which is more like real life all round, but you have captured the feel of the Film very well here in this review .........Roy.......
masternewt 06.10.2004 17:31
Great review but I was not fussed on the film, it was ok MN
Delicate_Orchid 25.09.2004 22:54
I have not seen this yet. It sounds great! Desiree x
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]")
Sep 25th, 2004
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