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Traffic views the illicit drug problem in America from the perspective
of a Mexican cop ( Benicio Del Toro ) trying to survive amidst corruption,
an American judge ( Michael Douglas ) who starts out viewing the
problem in theory and ends up dealing with it in practice, his drug
abusing daughter (Erika Christensen), an American cop (Don Cheadle
) trying to bust big-time drug operators, and a San Diego woman
( Catherine Zeta-Jones ) who is dragged into the scene when her
husband is arrested and accused of being a big-time drug boss.
The film shows drugs as a business, a war, a high-level social
problem, a criminal activity and a painful family trauma. The three
major storylines (the judge’s family, corruption in Mexico
and the San Diego drug arrests) intersect a few times, building
a clear message – this is no simple problem and there’s
no simple answer. As the judge eventually concludes, if this is
a war, then it’s a war on our own families.
Soderbergh tells the story effectively and powerfully. Plot developments
stretch plausibility a couple of times – the judge’s transformation
into a street-wise almost-vigilante, and the young mother’s
shift from innocent victim to scheming gangster are doubtful developments
that reduce the film’s power, although they aren’t entirely
unbelievable.
More notable – and far more impressive – is what Soderbergh
has done right. Traffic is valuable social commentary, skilfully
composed art and – yes – high-quality entertainment. Although
the complexity of the problem and the power of the forces that propel
it may cause you to feel hopeless at times, there’s just enough
hope to keep on going.
The acting – naturalistic and unpretentious – is outstanding.
Del Toro excels in this regard, playing a cop trying to stay clean
and alive, while swimming in a very dirty pool. Cheadle and Christensen
also deliver strongly affecting performances. Douglas is less convincing
– seeming like a refugee from a John Grisham-inspired movie.
The same is true of the very pregnant Zeta-Jones, who emotes a lot
but doesn’t make her character’s evolution entirely believable.
After a draining 147 minutes of watching Traffic, you might come
out more discouraged than when you went in. On the other hand, you
might also emerge like the San Diego cop or the judge’s family
– battered but inspired to carry on.
Overall Rating: 
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