Human Traffic (1999)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Justin Kerrigan

Writer:

Justin Kerrigan (written by)

Release Date:

5 May 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music

Tagline:

The Weekend has Landed!

Plot:

Five friends spend one lost weekend in a mix of music, love and club culture.

Plot Keywords:

Weekend | Friend | Clubbing | DJ | Joint

Awards:

10 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

John Simm	...	Jip
Lorraine Pilkington	...	Lulu
Shaun Parkes	...	Koop
Nicola Reynolds	...	Nina
Danny Dyer	...	Moff
Dean Davies	...	Lee
Peter Albert	...	Lulu's Uncle Eric
Jan Anderson	...	Karen Benson
Terence Beesley	...	Moff's Father
Sarah Blackburn	...	Jip's Ex #2
Anne Bowen	...	Moff's Grandmother
Neil Bowens	...	Asylum Doorman
Peter Bramhill	...	Matt
Jo Brand	...	Reality (voice)
Stephanie Brooks	...	Fleur

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive drug content and language, and for some strong sexuality.

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

UK | Ireland

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:R | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:18 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Sweden:11 | UK:18 | USA:R | Spain:18

Filming Locations:

Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales, UK

Company:

Irish Screen

Trivia:

There is another cut of film called Human Traffic Remixed. According to The Guardian there were rumors that Justin Kerrigan wasn't involved with edited version but the producer Allan Niblo was. There are also rumors that they had fallen out during the shoot. It is available on DVD in the UK

Goofs:

Continuity: When Jip talks to the manager of the Asylum, Jip asks to use the phone to call his assistant. While he is on the phone, the camera flicks back the manager. In this shot, the phone Jip is supposed to be calling on is clearly visible in the foreground, still on the hook.

Quotes:

Koop: [Playing a Jungle Record] This could turn Hare Krishna into a Bad Bwoy!

Movie Connections:

References Trainspotting (1996)

Soundtrack:

Never Believe

Watching this film just makes you want to go out clubbing!!

Every time I watch this film, it just really makes me wanna go out and have a good night! My mate uses "the weekend has landed" speech to psyche himself up before going out! and so do I...sometimes.

This film is a great debut for the writer/director - well done mate!

The acting is great, all the characters are believable and are larger than life! The 'weird' scenes are a joy to watch, Jip's running Mr floppy flashbacks/explanations/visualizations are all great! The scene in the huuuuuuuge pub when everyone stands up and starts singing the mock national anthem is a laugh too. There's loads of comedy here - Howard Marks' 'spliff politics' speech is hilarious!

Oh god, you just need to see this. Mind you, I felt the film did somewhat glorify the use of ecstacy, but hey, that's the truth of the matter eh? At least the film doesn't shy away from this fact. I suppose the film does carry a decent message to it as well - don't take life TOO seriously, you have to let you hair down sometime. And of course the chat in the pub when Moff tries to explain to his mates that he's coming off the drugs is a sure reminder that when the come down's out-way the good times, you know the party's over!

This is at times a very clever film in it's use of the camera, lighting, etc. It was a realised piece of cinema, and a great feel-good tale of mates, love, clubs, and drugs.

Get outta the 'rat race' people!!!

8/10

Enjoy!