Traffic

Rating:
Summary: Best Film of 2000
Review: Traffic is easily the best film to be released in the year 2000. There was not much competition, but it did best such favorites as Almost Famous and Gladiator, hands down. This film has everything that a great film needs. It has a story that leads the viewer in many different directions, a director that knows the true elements that go into making a great film, and a cast of stars too long to list.

Generally in films such as this, there is one person in the ensemble cast that sort of sticks out for not doing such a great job on acting. Not so on this film. Everyone does a great job, it is just more difficult to find an actor that does a better job than someone else. Benicio Del Toro deserves the Golden Globe for his outstanding job as a Mexican official. Catherine Zeta Jones does a good job as the wife of a drug lord, and the rest of the cast gives hope that there are actually decent actors left in America.

This is a film that should be seen by everyone. It tells a great story of the fight against drugs in America from many different standings and different backgrounds. The film never tries to be pretencious or preachy, it just does a great job at opening the eyes of all of those people that do not realize what a problem drugs are. After this film you will look at all the news reports a little differently. Steven Soderbergh deserves all the acclaim he is getting for this film. I can only hope that this film will make some more of Hollywood realize that they can entertain and tell an excellent story all at the same time.

Rating:
Summary: What a waste of time and money!
Review: If I wanted to watch a documentary on drugs, I would have stayed home and watched PBS. I was bored throughout the entire movie. There was no action, in fact the movie was so quiet you could here the projector going the whole time. I want to watch a movie for entertainment value, to escape reality. This movie is in no way deserving of any awards. Do not see this...!

Rating:
Summary: Soderbergh's Rush Hour
Review: Traffic may be jammed with some very obvious messages, but style serves the substance abuses beautifully as Soderbergh crafts a film that could have (and should have) been overly familiar into one of the year's finest.

Imagine for a moment what a chaotic mess... the film would have been in say Oliver Stone's hands. Soderbergh doesn't cram his film full of excess of let the audience enjoy the film on a visceral level at all. When a car explodes, we don't hear the explosion. We don't get a big stirring final speech from a main character. The film isn't interested in that type of phony audience pandering.

The rotting sepia toned yellowishness of the Mexican scenes, contrasted to the washed out look of the Cincinatti ghetto scenes, to the cool blues all over the Washington D.C. scenes to the orangish warmth of the San Diego based scenes stylishness will force you to see even familiar things in a new way. And to think about them.

The casting is absolutely superb. Miguel Ferrer has never been better, Don Cheadle and Luis Guzman are superb. Guzman who has become overly familiar in a running sit-com character kind of way, rises above all that and establishes genuine chemistry with Cheadle in the several wonderful scenes they have together.

The character actors are so natural and well cast they don't seem so much like actors as people you've met a few times who have been caught on tape doing their jobs in the courtroom.

There's Michael Douglas consorting with real Senators and border patrol officials. He winds up 'acting' several times, but it's painless to watch him under Soderbergh's expert direction and the films superb editing. Even when we're watching him rush into a school room , pull the kid out of class, look for his daughter in the ghetto, etc. it works better than it should as we are watching it because it's well directed and edited. Sure you think of it now and it's a new version of Paul Schrader's film Hardcore or perhaps a well meaning t.v. movie all over again, but it's not utterly phony. We aren't given the big triumphant scene or any action film pay-off scene. I suspect there's plenty of people who will consider the film actually copped out by not giving the audience what it really wanted at several points in the film.

Benicio Del Toro as the Mexican police officer, wears the right attitude, and trusts Soderbergh to use him better than he's ever been used before. It works. It's a beautiful fusion of good acting, good direction, and style delivering many riveting moments.

There's also several times, characters deliver their messages straight out. Some of these messages are told with such directness you accept them because of their utter lack of pre-tense. I'm thinking of when the student turns to Michael Douglas in the car outside the dealer's house and just makes his speech. It's not an expected or realistic moment, yet it works. The character has a moment of doubt that Soderbergh captures which sells it. Crass? Manipulative?

Yes.

But it's not done with false pretense.

As you reconstruct various scenes you realize there's a thin line which separates a lot of the film from a Scared Straight type of documentary, but it's been crafted with such a high degree of skill you admire what's being done and of course why it's being done. The script travels over well worn territory and at times is very weak (a newly appointed drug czar seriously doesn't know there is no such equivalent position to his in Mexico?). At other times the film seems to be doing to much at once, covering many characters and events in a somewhat illogically compressed time frame (the justice system is depicted at moving much more quickly than it ever does in real life). But it is the movies after all. The screenplay is by Stephen Gaghan and is based on the 6 hour 1989 British miniseries Traffik.

There are moments in this film where a shot is so perfectly constructed your in awe of Soderbergh's instincts. He truly can construct even the most perfunctory and mundane of scenes in a way that elevates them to art. Look at how wonderful he will frame a main character as he walks down a hall. How he chooses to have a helicopter literally land on top of a camera. How he shows us a non-travelogue wide shot of Mexico City. How he captures the desperation and chaos of a drug bust operation.

SEMI-SPOILER

Catherine Zeta-Jones character does suddenly change from one that is apparently naive and out of the loop into one that is ruthless and experienced. However if you pay attention the seeds are well planted for the conversion She's a women who came from the wrong side of the tracks. She's insulated herself from her past and has almost forgotten where she came from. When her new rich friends abandon her she realizes how utterly phony they are, and she now needs to fight to keep what she has. She gets the information she needs, and she's a quick study and not nearly as naive as she's been pretending she is. The gaps in her learning curve have been closed partially by Dennis Quaids' business manager character and she's a mother protecting her son first, her lifestyle second at all costs.

End Semi- Spoiler

Traffic is a film that likely to be over-praised and make some film-goers wonder what all the fuss was about. The fuss is about Soderbergh's stylish presentation and some wonderful acting.

Chris Jarmick, Author of The Glass Cocoon with Serena F. Holder Available February 2001.

Rating:
Summary: Accents do matter
Review: I hope that my comments do not distract from an outstanding movie, which promises to please not only the critics but general audiences as well. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the movie I found Benicio Del Toro's award wining performance irritating. I could not get over his accent. Although most of the heavily slangged dialog was clearly Mexican, his accent could not fool anyone who has lived in Mexico. I spent the whole movie trying to distinguish his national Heritage. I erroneously came to the conclusion that he was Colombian, later to find out that he was born in Puerto Rico. Casting him in that role is comparable to casting Hue Grant in a role as a Texas Cowboy. Of a lesser movie I would not have cared. In one of this caliber, it proved disconcerting. Barring this distraction which most people will not notice, "Traffic" is a movie which is not only entertaining but also succeeds in examining various views on the "war on drugs" without deciding for you. For the Independent movie crowd I suggest you also see "Requiem to a Dream"

Rating:
Summary: Empowering and Oscar-worthy!
Review: "The American drug war is a war we can win," says the new government drug czar of the ongoing battle against illegal substances in America. This line comes towards the ending of the movie, though it is clearly not needed in the beginning. Right from the beginning, we know that this is going to be a serious, yet humorous take, on how many different situations can arise and lives can be affected by contact with narcotics. 

Steven Soderbergh's newest film, "Traffic," is everything like the films he has done before: brutally honest, tactful, and without reserve when it comes to its display of the situation at hand. His brilliant direction of characters as well as the cinematography of the movie is nothing short of in-your-face amazing, making it one of the year's best films. 

There is not one, but three stories, intricately interwoven together while not having any of the major characters really interact with one another. One story focuses on Mexican cop Javier Rodriguez, who is caught in between his homeland and the U.S. over who is crooked and who is not when it comes to bringing down a major cartel in Tijuana. Back in the states, Robert wakefield has just been appointed to the position of drug czar, and finds out too late that he may be in a no-win situation. To top that off, his daughter is severely hooked on drugs, which leads to life-threatening situations. The third focuses on a drug kingpin's arrest, with his clueless wife beginning to piece together her husband's trade and eventually taking over the business, all the while being watched by the very two men who arrested her husband. 

Is it confusing? At times, yes. Is it worth it trying to sort it all out? Definitely. "Traffic" may be a little hard to follow in the beginning, but sticking it out is absolutely worth it in the end. As the movie switches from story to story, there is never a dull moment. Each story has its own unique message about how drugs affect people of different backgrounds, and how some of those peoples' lives affect others. That is what is so brilliant about this film: when the characters from differing stories interact, they are never given enough time to get to know each other, keeping the action separate and moving. 

Soderbergh's use of the camera and color tints also help to give each setting its own unique and disturbing feel. The sandy deserts and towns of Mexico appear yellow and bright, while Ohio is blue, chilly and frigid. Throughout the movie, he gives each scene a somewhat grainy appearance, setting it apart from mainstream cinema while adding to the uniqueness of the story as a whole. 

Actors are given a chance to show off some of their best work to date, and there are so many actors that appear throughout that you will have to watch it repeatedly in order to catch them all. Among the main characters, Benecio Del Toro gives the best performance ofthe film, while Michael Douglas is perfect for the role of the politician with personal as well as governmental issues. Catherine Zeta-Jones is the most debatable character, for when she is forced to dig into her husband's underground life, you won't know whether to root for her or criticize her for her actions. 

"Traffic" met all of my expectations head on, while also keeping me very entertained as well as informed about America's drug battle. The movie contains a message, something deeper than the characters and their lives, a message about what drugs can do to your life besides physical damage.

Rating:
Summary: Finally, a "Traffic" worth sitting through
Review: At last a film that isn't afraid of admitting that the war on drugs is a complete failure. Nothing was more stunning that the Michael Douglas scene where--as the potential drug czar during a White House tele-conference--pretty much tells the nation that the only people we're really fighting against is our own family. This is stunning, of course, but Steven Soderbergh is a filmmaker that has the guts to portray this fact. From the frontlines in Mexico, the projects of urban America, the houses of wealthy youths, and finally the cops and dealers, we see ALL viewpoints. This is overall great filmmaking and great story-telling, not to mention stellar acting from Mister and Missus Douglas, Don Cheadle, and especially--and it's about time we all recognize him--Benicio Del Toro. Bravo! This is a MUST HAVE for your DVD collection.

Rating:
Summary: A Movie that Tops the Rest
Review: Traffic gives us a very disturbing yet equally true story about what happens to real people in the fight for war on drugs. Traffic tells three stories. About two DEA agents, Don Chealde and Luis Guzman, that are out to stop the "Big Rich Guys" at the to of the food chain. Two Mexican Police Officers that happen upon a large shipment of illegal drugs, Benicio Del Torro. And a newly appointed government official, Michael Douglas, that is there to clean up what his predecessor couldn't do. WIth that said, we are left to director Steven Soderbergh. With his brilliant usage of color and contrast. And his equally astounding talent of editing and shooting this home videoesque film. I was dumbfounded by the sheer tenactiy of the story. So gritty and captivating. It really tells people what they don't want to hear. With such a fabulous cast as this: Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Torro (who should recieve an oscar nomination), Don Chealde, Catherine Zeta Jones, Dennis Quaid, Selma Hyaek, Benjamin Bratt, and Luis Guzman, you can't make a bad movie. So, take my advice and watch this film. It's really that good.

Rating:
Summary: Traffic- the Modern L.A. Confidential...?
Review: This is a brilliant film, with a great cast, and an excellent story. But seeing as I had just watched L.A. Confidential the day before I went to see Traffic, I found that there were quite a few similarities between the two movies.

For starter's each movie focuses on three main storylines(that all tie into one story)with other sub-plots around them- Traffic has Javier Rodriguez(Benicio Del Toro) fighting the Mexican drug war. Robert Wakefield(Michael Douglas as the Government drug czar fighting a battle he can't win.A And then you have Montel Gordon(Don Cheadle) and Ray Castro(Luis Guzman) as DEA partners who track down a drug trafficker, Eduardo Ruiz(Miguel Ferrer) and then have to protect him when he is to go in front of a court against Carlos Ayala(Steven Bauer) And these three main storylines spring open sub-plots- The case of Wakefield's daughter, Caroline(Erika Christensen- a brilliant find) being addicted to drugs, Carlos' wife, Helena(Catherine Zeta Jones), etc.

L.A. Confidential has the case of the three cops- Ed Exley(Guy Pearce), Bud White(Russell Crowe), and Jack Vincennes(Kevin Spacey), totally separate characters that have to come together.

Both have brilliant music scores

And hopefully, TRAFFIC will also get a Best Supporting Actor for Benicio's role(and maybe adapted screenplay?), just like Kim Basinger won her Oscar and Director Hanson and Brian Helgeland's screenplay won an Oscar

Half of the film is in Spanish- subtitles are provided, so don't worry! I think this gives the film a really good feel and nice flavor to it. It just wouldn't have sounded the same if all the Mexican parts were spoken in English.

And all this is directed by Steven Soderbergh. And the cinematography is just beautiful.

Rating:
Summary: Daring Mainstream Movie
Review: Not since Fight Club have I seen a film showing ideas and viewpoints that most mainstream movies wouldn't touch. (Why did USA release Traffic and not Universal?) Sure put these ideas into small art house films and who goes to see them? Its like preaching to the choir. At my screening I saw everyday "Castaway" moviegoers watching a film that showed how debilitating drugs and "The Drug War" is for everyone involved.

Soberberg again does a superb job connecting all the disparate characters into whole. Including some very hilarious scenes (with Don Cheadle and Luis Guzman) that he's shown he is capable of before in movies like Out of Sight and Erin Brockovich.

Traffic simply proves Soderberg is the most exciting American director since Scorsese. And Benicio Del Toro gives the best heroic underdog portrayal since Stallone did Rocky way back when. Give an Oscar to this guy.

If Traffic doesn't win Best Picture it'll rank up there with the injustices Raging Bull and LA Confidential had to face.

Traffic just makes me excited about movies again and thats why I'm writing this review when I should be in bed.

Rating:
Summary: Daring Mainstream Movie
Review: Not since Fight Club have I seen a film showing ideas and viewpoints that most mainstream movies wouldn't touch. Sure put these ideas into small art house films and who goes to see them? Its like preaching to the choir. At my screening I saw everyday "Castaway" moviegoers watching a film that showed how debilitating drugs and "The Drug War" is for everyone involved.

Soberberg again does a superb job connecting all the disparate characters into whole. Including some very hilarious scenes (with Don Cheadle and Luis Guzman) that he's shown he is capable of before in movies like Out of Sight and Erin Brockovich.

Traffic simply proves Soderberg is the most exciting American director since Scorsese. And Benicio Del Toro gives the best heroic underdog performance since Stallone did Rocky way back when.

If Traffic doesn't win Best Picture it'll rank up there with the injustices Raging Bull and LA Confidential had to face.

Traffic just makes me excited about movies again and thats why I'm writing this review when I should be in bed.