# Traffic (2000)

### reviewed by
Homer Yen

    Merging "Traffic" Ahead
    by Homer Yen
    (c) 2001

"Traffic" is a kaleidoscopic look at the famous War on Drugs. Melancholy in tone, the film presents a scathing indictment about America's inability to adequately counter the proliferation of narcotics and its woeful aftermath. From the most affluent, civic-minded members of our society to the most reprehensible base, this multi-layered story looks at how the influence of the drug trade destroys or corrupts all that it touches.

The most poignant and ironic among the interwoven storylines is that of federal judge Robert Wakefield (Michael Douglas) who has just been appointed to be the newest drug czar. He's passionate about his job and genuine in his desire to curb the smuggling operation of the Mexican cartels. He meets important people (various Senators make cameo appearances) and takes a trip to the El Paso Drug Enforcement Administration Headquarters to closely examine government interdiction strategies. Yet, while he believes that his trip to the Mexican border puts him on the front line, he practically never realizes that the problem has already hit tellingly close to home. This suggests that America is losing the war, and this theme rears itself constantly in all of the scenarios presented.

It's not just America that has to contend with the drug problem. Even Mexican officials take great interest in it. However, with the high level of corruption within the government, it's not necessarily clear whether these officials are trying to squelch the supply of drugs or are trying to monopolize it. In its most complex storyline, Tijuana cop Javier Rodriguez (Benicio Del Toro) must tread carefully after he is recruited by an army general to help squash one of the cartels. He soon learns, though, that he is in a battlefield where it's never clear who his enemies or his allies are.

A third storyline is more conventional, but no less biting about the futility of stemming narcotics trafficking. Two DEA agents (Don Cheadle and Luis Guzman) catch a drug mob underling (Miguel Ferrer) whom they turn to testify against his powerful boss. The snitch banters philosophically that the agents' efforts will only be a waste of taxpayers money while competing cartels will only become more powerful. As with the other two scenarios, it's all very solemn stuff as the good guys struggle to fight a war in which hope seems to be constantly smothered by the effects of the white powder.

"Traffic" boasts strong performances by the ensemble all-star cast (especially Del Toro). It also benefits from a directional style that helps to make this otherwise complex story easy to follow. Of note is the use of its visualizations that help to differentiate the stories currently happening onscreen. The Mexican world, for example, is somewhat blurry and is shot using pale yellows to bring out the squalor of that environment while the Washington elite is shot with regal colors and is in focus to denote a world of protocol and order. However, be warned if your goal is to find entertainment. This is an issue-driven film with a pronounced documentary feel. It might even seem like some revved up program that you might see on The Learning Channel. Therefore, while many of the scenes will be intense enough to capture your interest, the film's lack of drama may turn you away. But no matter what you eventually think, the material will undoubtedly raise a few eyebrows.

    Grade: B

    S:        2 out of 3
    L:        2 out of 3
    V:        2 out of 3

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