Traffic
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Movie Reviews of Traffic
Movie Review: Re-inventing the human touch
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't really know why people insist that the film is about drug trade! I think the film is about humans and their hopes and defects: A very powerful man with no weapon to protect his daughter, a nouveau-rich hot shot who is suddenly in jail, a spoon fed beauty running for money and a superb policeman hoping to provide something for the childhood.The way the film has been "woven" is pretty rare in the new films (it looks like the well-made movies we use to see in the 60's and 70s), and the hazy impression of a fine movie by its humanity (and not graphic) may remind us that Hollywood is still in good shape.
A salute to Michael Douglas for taking one step back offering the axial role for Benicio Del Toro: I don't think that anyone else could represent the 3rd world pure and simple man, looking for fairness, as he did.
The characters and the stories of the movie could make at least 3 successful movies; this is in case you would not consider the amazing shooting on Mexico, who could be considered as a masterpiece on its own, as a fourth successful movie.
It doesn't really matter what is your interest in movies, whether it is the gender, the directors, the stars or simply the entertainment; you should see the movie and considered as a reference (it will make you very picky).
Movie Review: Re-inventing the human touch
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't really know why people insist that the film is about drug trade! I think the film is about humans and their hopes and defects: A very powerful man with no weapon to protect his daughter, a nouveau-rich hot shot who is suddenly in jail, a spoon fed beauty running for money and a superb policeman hoping to provide something for the childhood.The way the film has been "woven" is pretty rare in the new films (it looks like the well-made movies we use to see in the 60's and 70s), and the hazy impression of a fine movie by its humanity (and not graphic) may remind us that Hollywood is still in good shape.
A salute to Michael Douglas for taking one step back offering the axial role for Benicio Del Toro: I don't think that anyone else could represent the 3rd world pure and simple man looking for fairness as he did.
The characters and the stories of the movie could make at least 3 successful movies; this is in case you would not consider the amazing shooting on Mexico, who could be considered as a masterpiece on its own and a fourth successful movie.
It doesn't really matter what is your interest in movies, whether it is the gender, the directors, the stars or simply the entertainment; you should see the movie and considered as a reference (it will make you very picky).
Movie Review: Re-inventing the human touch
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't really know why people insist that the film is about drug trade! I think the film is about humans and their hopes and defects: A very powerful man with no weapon to protect his daughter, a nouveau-rich hot shot who is suddenly in jail, a spoon fed beauty running for money and a superb policeman hoping to provide something for the childhood.The way the film has been "woven" is pretty rare in the new films (it looks like the well-made movies we use to see in the 60's and 70s), and the hazy impression of a fine movie by its humanity (and not graphic) may remind us that Hollywood is still in good shape.
A salute to Michael Douglas for taking one step back offering the axial role for Benicio Del Toro: I don't think that anyone else could represent the 3rd world pure and simple man looking for fairness as he did.
The characters and the stories of the movie could make at least 3 successful movies; this is in case you would not consider the amazing shooting on Mexico, who could be considered as a masterpiece on its own and a fourth successful movie.
It doesn't really matter what is your interest in movies, whether it is the gender, the directors, the stars or simply the entertainment; you should see the movie and considered as a reference (it will make you very picky).
Movie Review: Even-handed snapshot of the drug war...
Summary: 5 Stars
In the liner notes of Traffic, the director states that his goal was to create a simple picture of the drug trade, not to make a political statement about who was winning. I think he succeeded masterfully.The one thing that I really enjoyed was the depiction of Law Enforcement, both the Mexican authorities and the Americans. Benicio Del Toro was wonderful (duh, he won an Oscar) as a mostly-good Mexican cop. His scene in the pool with the 2 G-men is borderline hilarious. Don Cheadle and Miguel Ferrer also gave great performances, as the most direct arguments for and against the drug war.
The plight of the Douglas character's family was a wonderfully interesting story as well, from permissiveness and hypocrisy of adults, to the slow spiral into addiction and acceptance by youth. Really a good story.
The one thing I thought was far-fetched was the final press conference involving Michael Douglas's character--in the history of government, how many people have ever done that?--but that's my only complaint. Catherine Zeta-Jones's character is involved in a Cheech & Chong "Up in Smoke" moment as well, but that's certainly forgiveable.
All in all, this is a fantastic film that gives a very even-handed view of the "War on Drugs."
Movie Review: Great director, great team, one wrong cut.
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is truly a team film, because it does not have any true lead. All actors are supporting each other.Benicio Del Toro, you are a great actor and your character takes time for his choices and has the biggest depth. In every true sense this role is supporting almost to the extent of being the backbone of the movie; Michael's,character has a few amazing scene and Don's character has this big, big finale of the movie after planting the last bug.
Criticsm:
The film takes a moment to take off with storylines complex interwoven, as complex as all of the dealing with not only the drug wars, but wars as such.
Soderbergh gives big moments to actors.
However, I felt that Catherine's character's biggest scene was cut, and should not have been cut, because she was giving birth to her choice. After finishing watching the movie I felt that Chaterine's character made the decision too quickly to turn criminal, the inner conflict was missing. How upset I was when I found the scene as Scene 9 from the Deleted Scenes in the Extra Features of the DVD. It was there, well filmed, brief and strong and probably taken away because the team did not want to victimize anyone into being a criminal.