Movie Review: Traffic

Story: The film opens in an overexposed, sun-bleached Mexican desert devoid of any traffic. This does not last. Within 15 minutes we have met about 12 major characters, in six different locations in this fast paced fabulous end of the year film. This pace is maintained right through the end shot. There is no 'down' time to leave for a rest room break in this thriller. There are basically three stories. The ongoing battle of the police/drug enforcers on both sides of the border, the dealers/cartels who traffic the drugs and the agony of the families who are the victims/consumers of the drugs. Loosely based on a British TV series called, Traffik. write Stephen Gaghan hands prolific director Steven Soderbergh (see resume below) a beauty of a palette to paint his broad canvas. Soderbergh, under a pseudonym, is also the director of photography, which is a key element to the success of this film. He uses his hand held jiggly camera to great effect. He swathes the Mexican locales in sun-drenched, sepia tones. The Washington, DC location shots are bathed in a steely, cold blue. He cleverly heightens the viewer's senses by injecting color, temperature and sound into the mix. I like to be challenged when movie going. The film makes you think and demands that you do the editorializing and the judging about this plague that is on all of our houses. There are other hard, social issues that are tackled in this memorable film. You get family dysfunction and it's consequences, the ongoing race relation problem and the inept Government drug policies. This is an intelligent, must-see film.

Acting: A large ensemble cast of superlative performances including: Don Cheadle and Luiz Guzman as the DEA good guys (I am sure their bantering was improvised and needed for its comic relief and warmth), a very pregnant and right on the money Catherine Zeta (we've heard way too much about you lately) Jones, a handsome, sleazy Dennis Quaid, the accomplished Mel Ferrer, a satisfying, but not new performance by Michael Douglas and the astonishing performances by youngsters Topher Grace and Erika Christenson. But the kudos and applause go to Benicio Del Toro as the lone ray of hope in the Mexican drug war. He gave an incredibly three dimensional portrait of a very complex character.

Pets: Thankfully pets are too pure of heart to be in a drug movie.

Food: Most drugs (at least the ones used in this movie) make you lose your appetite, not pull up a couch, open the refrigerator and dive in.

Visual Art: Attention to detail was everywhere from the severe portraits in Washington, to the expensive paintings shown in the drug dealers houses to the religious art in the homes in Mexico.

Soundtrack: Terrific

Titles: The opening title only has a black background with the word Traffic in the lower left hand corner and then you are hurtled into the film. All credits are at the end.

Theater Audience: I was way out of my usual zip code of choice and so was visually assaulted by a preponderance of fur coats. There were also too many bags, belts and shoes made from the ill-gotten gains of the illegal skin trade. Ugh!

Quirky Meter: 3

Oscar Worthy: Yes. I think Benicio Del Toro deserves a nod and Steven Soderbergh will most definitely get a nod or two.

Nit Picking: Two of the producers are experienced in TV productions. There was a certain amount of TV soapiness in the agony of the victim/consuming drug family but it didn't bother me enough to ruin the film. I am also appalled by the ever blending lines of Washington and Hollywood. Senators Barbara Boxer, Orrin (ugh) Hatch, Don Nickles, Harry Reed and Governor William (I am looking to move to NY to become their Governor) Weld played cameos, as themselves, at a Washington DC cocktail party.

Big Screen or Rental: Definitely big screen. Have a Soderbergh weekend and rent his popular Sex, Lies and Videotape, Pleasantville, Out of Sight and my favorite The Limey (on last year's LOBO top 10 list). I know he will be talked about for his direction of Erin Brockovich but I was not too impressed with that one.

Length: 20 minutes over the 2 hour rule. But, continuing in the generous nature of the holiday season it is forgiven.

LOBO HOWLS: 9