Traffic

USA Films | Release Date: December 27, 2000

8.7	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 336 Ratings

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User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

BryceHooglandJul 9, 2012

Steven Soderbergh, the master of narrative, creates a drug, crime film the way one should be made. What

6 of 6 users found this helpful60

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Connor_MonteithAug 2, 2012

A true thriller at it's best. This is a film charged with tension, drama, and suspense. Not to mention the truly inspiring and detailed story it delivers. Overall a great screenplay that manages to swiftly switch between different scenariosA true thriller at it's best. This is a film charged with tension, drama, and suspense. Not to mention the truly inspiring and detailed story it delivers. Overall a great screenplay that manages to swiftly switch between different scenarios and keep every story engaging, as well as easy to follow. Not to be missed.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

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JabbaOnCrackApr 11, 2013

Brilliant, simply brilliant. Well composed script, compelling, engaging but also emotional and at times disturbing. This film succeeds in conforming well to the "hyperlink" genre and exploring both process and effect of drug trafficking. ItBrilliant, simply brilliant. Well composed script, compelling, engaging but also emotional and at times disturbing. This film succeeds in conforming well to the "hyperlink" genre and exploring both process and effect of drug trafficking. It also succeeds in establishing some homogeny between Mexican and
American societies whilst attacking the divide that exists between the respective societies. The acting is superb, Benicio del Toro avoids melodrama, remaining collected but also seemingly effortlessly drawing viewers into some emotional attachment with his character. Brilliant performances also by Michael Douglas, Don Cheadle and Catharine Zeta Jones.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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GoldSoundzMay 23, 2013

Traffic is a brilliant collection of stories involving strong characters and gripping story-lines, sometimes brutal and tragic; a drugs film told with intoxicating panache, all without becoming too-heavy, which is refreshing in a pool full ofTraffic is a brilliant collection of stories involving strong characters and gripping story-lines, sometimes brutal and tragic; a drugs film told with intoxicating panache, all without becoming too-heavy, which is refreshing in a pool full of films such as Less Than Zero, Requiem for a Dream and Blow. There are stints of hope in Traffic, yet it wisely restricts this hope in its acknowledgement that no matter what anybody does, drugs are an unshakable part of modern life; you can cut it down, but there’s no stopping it.

9.3… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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KevinL.Sep 28, 2007

"Brilliant" As much as there are many of its kind out there, the writers continue to make this film as entertaining and masterful. This film just creates so much tension and absorbs the viewers in.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

JBAug 11, 2006

[***SPOILERS***] This terribly pandering piece of cinematography is redeemable only for the scene in which the film's drug czar concludes that one can't wage a war on drugs without waging war on one's own family and friends. [***SPOILERS***] This terribly pandering piece of cinematography is redeemable only for the scene in which the film's drug czar concludes that one can't wage a war on drugs without waging war on one's own family and friends. Everything else about this film was dull and unimaginative, clearly designed as filler for this ultimate message that is nearly lost is the sea of meaningless drivel that surrounds it.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful

jonOct 12, 2005

Extremely powerful, traffic was definitely robbed at the Oscars for Best Picture.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

SpangleAug 23, 2014

A very ambitious and expertly made film, Traffic is a very interesting, at times disturbing, film. First off, the ensemble cast featuring Benicio del Toro, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Don Cheadle, Luis Guzman, and ErikaA very ambitious and expertly made film, Traffic is a very interesting, at times disturbing, film. First off, the ensemble cast featuring Benicio del Toro, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Don Cheadle, Luis Guzman, and Erika Christensen, is fantastic. The direction from Steven Soderbergh is also very good and I also really liked his cinematography here. The different tints to each story really gave each their own unique feel, even if they all concerned the same topic; drug trafficking. Ultimately, Traffic is a brilliant look at the many different aspects and roles played in the world of drugs and how easily lines between good and bad can be blurred. On top of that, it reenforces that nobody involved can get away without being altered forever. Every story it goes through is interesting in their own way. Many call this a thriller, and while elements of this are indeed thrilling, it struck me more as a drama and I thought the dramatic elements outweighed the thrilling ones, but that is me. Regardless, Traffic is an incredibly ambitious film from director Steven Soderbergh that is ultimately a resounding success that leaves you wanting more, even though its run time is two and a half hours.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Compi24Nov 28, 2012

Easily one of the greatest ensemble pieces in cinematic history, "Traffic" represents everything that many other films have tried and failed to do - It crafts an utterly breathtaking film featuring a wide array of characters that the audienceEasily one of the greatest ensemble pieces in cinematic history, "Traffic" represents everything that many other films have tried and failed to do - It crafts an utterly breathtaking film featuring a wide array of characters that the audience never forgets nor stops caring about.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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ryanneevmanAug 25, 2014

This is a film where you do not have to be into drugs. Sodenbergh seems to have put a magic spell on this material, because the movie is done very well.

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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NBFCJan 9, 2018

A film similar in style to Crash and Babel that uses many intertwining storylines to give multiple perspectives (users, enforcers, politicians and traffickers) on the illegal drug trade. Based on the 1989 television series Traffik, directorA film similar in style to Crash and Babel that uses many intertwining storylines to give multiple perspectives (users, enforcers, politicians and traffickers) on the illegal drug trade. Based on the 1989 television series Traffik, director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven, Magic Mike, Logan Lucky) is a seasoned veteran in creating star-studded ensemble pieces. The use of different color grades to visually distinguish each of the different stories goes a long way in helping the audience keep track. It is easily one of the best-looking of Soderbergh’s movies and there is some very well-done acting from Michael Douglas, Don Cheadle and Benicio del Toro.

Admittedly it’s far from perfect, it can get dam preachy (the subplot with Erika Christensen plays out like an After School Special) at times and the length (147 min.) does cause the movie to drag at times.

And even though it’s a bit over-simplified, the movie nonetheless does a very good job of offering a wide-scale overview of it’s subject manner. With Soderbergh’s tight editing and a good number of tense sequences, this 2000 War on Drugs epic is worth the watch.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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BethC.Feb 9, 2001

Viscerally unyielding. It flat out hammered me. It kept me interested and off kilter the whole time, and Benicio Del Toro is FABULOUS in it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JohnB.Jun 27, 2008

Very intelligent movie, great actors, interesting story!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

timoneNov 9, 2018

With everything that's done right, this is Traffic. That's right. The movie based on a TV series on Traffik. It's the story, well, stories, about illegal drug trading as in drug traffiking and in three stories, a few of the cast, MichaelWith everything that's done right, this is Traffic. That's right. The movie based on a TV series on Traffik. It's the story, well, stories, about illegal drug trading as in drug traffiking and in three stories, a few of the cast, Michael Douglas, Don Cheadle, Benicio de Toro, Dennis Quaid, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzman are here to stop the drugs from smuggling around the world. Speaking of mixing three stories together you'll have to watch this movie two or three times to actually understand the full film of why it's so different. Besides, it won 4 Oscars including one for Best Director, Steven Soderbergh. Yep, it also has the great cinematography like it was like you're watching the TV series. He also directed another film which is in the exact same year it was nominated for Best Director is Erin Brockovich. If you're a fan of Trainspotting you'll probably like this one. If you do like it there's only one thing I have to say to you is: Don't do drugs.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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BroyaxJan 17, 2017

Traffic multiplie les points de vue de tous ceux impliqués dans cette guerre de la came et c'est là son indiscutable point fort avec en point d'orgue ce "Monsieur Drogue" joué par Michael Douglas qui doit proposer au Président de nouvellesTraffic multiplie les points de vue de tous ceux impliqués dans cette guerre de la came et c'est là son indiscutable point fort avec en point d'orgue ce "Monsieur Drogue" joué par Michael Douglas qui doit proposer au Président de nouvelles propositions et dispositions dans cette guerre sans fin, une sorte de rapporteur en somme... qui se retrouve bien plus impliqué qu'il ne le voudrait.

Ainsi, le point de vue mexicain avec ses flics et la corruption rampante, le point de vue des flics de la DEA, le point de vue des jeunes étudiants américains qui se défoncent avec ces merdes, tout cela forme une vue d'ensemble que Steven Soderbergh nous expose avec une certaine retenue ou à tout le moins sans parti pris flagrant ni emphase exagérée. Et dans le même temps, il nous montre toutes ces tranches de vie des acteurs concernés de près ou de plus loin par le "traffic" (deux f en anglais) pour éprouver notre empathie.

Bref ce "Trafic" (un f en français) est habilement ficelé et toujours intéressant bien qu'un peu long ! La musique -discrète- est agréable, les acteurs et les actrices sont très bien... sauf la Zeta-Jones (qui a pris 20 kg au passage) et qui tente de tirer le film vers le bas. Heureusement, elle n'y parvient pas mais elle gêne énormément. On regrette aussi la présence -très furtive Dieu merci- de Salma Hayek, une insupportable pétasse. Par ailleurs, ces filtres bleus et jaunes pour chaque camp (EUA et Mexique) sont une connerie que le réalisateur aurait pu éviter. Quoi qu'il en soit, l'un de ses meilleurs films en tout cas.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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geewahJan 24, 2021

A good movie with intertwining stories that highlights the moral ambiguity of the drugs trade but I did find it bloated at times.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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NickTheCritickApr 18, 2022

Javier Rodriguez and Manolo Sanchez are two policemen committed to countering drug trafficking on the border between the United States and Mexico. Their leader is General Salazar, the main enemy of the drug cartels. Every day the two areJavier Rodriguez and Manolo Sanchez are two policemen committed to countering drug trafficking on the border between the United States and Mexico. Their leader is General Salazar, the main enemy of the drug cartels. Every day the two are tempted to appropriate part of the confiscated cargoes and get rich. Javier is the most resistant to pressure. Meanwhile, in the United States, the judge of the Ohio Supreme Court, Robert Wakefield, is instructed by the President to coordinate effective anti-drug activity with Mexican partners. At home, however, Robert and his wife have to watch helplessly as their sixteen-year-old daughter falls into the abyss of dependence. Carlos Ayala, a trafficker full of cover-ups, risks being framed in court by an excellent witness. Steven Soderbergh does not abandon the cinema of denunciation, but this time he chooses the path of the genre film with crossed events. It makes use of the strong stage presence of a Benicio del Toro capable of expressing pain and safety together with a simple movement of the lips. One of the best Soderbergh movies.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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LuchidorAug 11, 2023

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0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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