"Traffic" (2004) TV mini-series

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Directors:

Eric Bross
Stephen Hopkins

Writer:

Ron Hutchinson (written by) (2004)

Release Date:

26 January 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Crime

Tagline:

Drugs were just the beginning.

Plot:

A three-part miniseries which offers a look into the world of trafficking, where drugs, weapons, and even people are traded all over the world...

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | Spin Off | Lasersight | Based On Film | Drug Trafficking

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Cliff Curtis	...	Adam Kadyrov
Martin Donovan	...	Brent Delaney
Balthazar Getty	...	Ben Edmonds
Elias Koteas	...	Mike McKay
Mary McCormack	...	Carole McKay
Ritchie Coster	...	Fazal
Nelson Lee	...	Ronny Cho
Tony Musante	...	Alex Edmonds
Justin Chatwin	...	Tyler McKay
Belinda Metz	...	Shannon Isler
Brian George	...	Kahn
Jennifer Rae Westley	...	Angie
Eden Rountree	...	Chloe
Duncan Fraser	...	Wayne Frazier
Katia Khatchadourian	...	Zula (2004) (as Katia Khatchadorian)

Also Known As:

"Traffic: The Miniseries" (USA) (promotional title)

Runtime:

Brazil:260 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Finland:K-18 (2007) (DVD) (self applied) | Singapore:M18

Filming Locations:

Ashcroft, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Galway Bay Productions

Movie Connections:

Remake of "Traffik" (1989)

Soundtrack:

Dial Nine

A post 9/11 trafficking flick with a terrorism angle

"Traffic" is a 4 hour TV miniseries which begins as an exposé of international narcotrafficking with stories developed on both the supply side (Afghanistan) and the demand side (Seattle). As the film spins its web of intrigues which include a DEA agent on a smuggling mission in Afghanistan, human trafficking, and even a possible terrorist attack on the US it develops side plots involving the DEA agent's family, the Seattle DEA office ops, an immigrant in search of family, corrupt traffickers at both ends of the smuggling corridor, and more. The result is a convoluted drama which continually cycles through it's many stories providing convenient mini flashbacks as audience reminders as it pulls it's separate parts together to show their interconnectedness and provide a sort of global overview of the problem of contraband smuggling and its effects on people. Overall the miniseries is well directed with good performances by a nominal cast, good production value, and a post 9/11 story with a terrorism angle. However, it is somewhat scattered, lacking cogency, fraught with loose ends and plot holes, and occasionally tests believability. Realists interested in narcotrafficking should check out "Traffik (1998)" first. (B)