A conservative judge is appointed by the President to spearhead America's escalating war against drugs, only to discover that his teenage daughter is a crack addict. Two DEA agents protect an informant. A jailed drug baron's wife attempts to carry on the family business.
An intertwined drama about the United States' war on drugs, seen through the eyes of a once conservative judge, now newly-appointed drug czar, his heroin-addicted daughter, two DEA agents, a jailed drug kingpin's wife, and a Mexican cop who begins to question his boss's motives.
Helena Ayala approaches two DEA agents who are staking out her and her husband. She catches on and offers them a glass of lemonade to taunt them. This is nearly identical to a scene in Monk: Mr. Monk and the Genius (2008) where Patrick Kloster does the same thing to Natalie Teeger and Adrian Monk. See more »
Goofs
When Javier Rodriguez Rodriguez and his partner are stopped by General Salazar's men in the opening sequence, Javier holds his hands against the steering wheel in a "surrender" position. As the scene plays out, his hands are alternately in the air or on the steering wheel. See more »
The European DVD features 24 deleted scenes, including:
A scene at Manolo's house. Manolo is paranoid that the Cartel is after him
An extended scene between Manolo and Javier in the car, where Javier asks Manolo to keep his mouth shut about the Cartel
The assassin buying some hi-tech gadgets, including a cell-phone that can not be tapped (probably the one he later uses to communicate with Helena during his assassination attempt)
A scene where Judge Wakefield and Carlos Ayala's defence attorney meet at the congress party, showing that the two are old friends
A sequence of Helena going to a fancy party
An extended scene between Helena and Arnie Metzger
Two short scenes involving Manolo and Javier bringing Salma Hayek to the drug lord
An alternate scene of Helena visiting Carlos in prison
A scene where Helena tries to pawn her paintings
A scene where Helena discusses something over her cell-phone
An alternate sequence of Judge Wakefield looking for Caroline, involving Seth.
A scene where Helena asks Arnie to introduce her to the Obregón Cartel
A scene where Helena visits the factory where the cocaine dolls are made
A scene where Judge Wakefield searches Caroline's room for drugs, finding some in her diary
Three scenes involving Helena having to smuggle drugs into the US, as a test for the Obregón Cartel. She ends up not doing it.
Helena meeting the Obregón assassin at the playground
Judge Wakefield taking a stoned Caroline home after he found her. She tells him that she did it all because of a 'school assignment'.
Javier meeting Judge Wakefield after the drug bust
Javier meeting with Obregón, asking him for lights at baseball fields. He agrees.
Gordon sitting in the surveillance van in front of the Ayala residence with his new partner, listening to Carlos telling someone over the phone that they are 'back in business' and 'completely untouchable'
Going Under (Love & Insanity Dub) - K&D Sessions
Written by Glyn Bush, Richard Whittingham and Patrick Plummer
Performed by Rockers Hi-Fi
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc./Warner Music Company
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products See more »
Traffic is a fantastic movie. Let's start with saying that.
I just got back from seeing it, and it certainly rates as one of the best story-based drama's I've ever seen. Being a big fan of movies with different storylines overlapping (as Magnolia) I was highly anticipating this movie. And of course the big oscar nominations and the prizes it already won made it even more desirable.
It didn't let me down one bit. The different story's were all excellent. Being that the mexican one was in my opinion the best one. Especially Benicio Del Toro (remember him in Fear and Loathing in Las vegas, the BEST drugs movie ever) being absolutely brilliant. But also the storyline involving Michael Douglas with his problems dealing with a daughter on drugs (well acted out by newcomer Erika Christensen) is remarkable. The topic drugs is clearly highly talked about especially in the United States, and this is actually the first movie which shows all aspects of it. The dealing and smuggling, the addiction, the risks of being a narcotics agent and the political point of view. It's hard to find a film that's so complete, everyone will feel connected to one of the storylines because everyone deals with or has dealt with drugs before, even if it's just a one time mariuhana use. That's why this movie will appeal to a very large crowd.
Anyway when you look at the flaws then maybe some will say that it takes too long, or that some of the scenes are a bit slow. But does everything go fastpaced in real life? It just tries to sketch a realistic view of handling with drugs. And maybe there isn't a lot of action going on, but that's not the goal of the movie.
The only thing I found when watching the movie was that the switching between movielines happened a little too often. I'd preferred if it stayed with one story a little longer. Just a tiny flaw that I personally noted.
Traffic is a film that has to sink in, when you start to think about it it just gets better and better. I can't wait for the official release here in Holland, so that I can see it again.
Oscar for Del Toro in any case !!!!!! And throw in an oscar for best film too. It deserves it.
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Traffic is a fantastic movie. Let's start with saying that.
I just got back from seeing it, and it certainly rates as one of the best story-based drama's I've ever seen. Being a big fan of movies with different storylines overlapping (as Magnolia) I was highly anticipating this movie. And of course the big oscar nominations and the prizes it already won made it even more desirable.
It didn't let me down one bit. The different story's were all excellent. Being that the mexican one was in my opinion the best one. Especially Benicio Del Toro (remember him in Fear and Loathing in Las vegas, the BEST drugs movie ever) being absolutely brilliant. But also the storyline involving Michael Douglas with his problems dealing with a daughter on drugs (well acted out by newcomer Erika Christensen) is remarkable. The topic drugs is clearly highly talked about especially in the United States, and this is actually the first movie which shows all aspects of it. The dealing and smuggling, the addiction, the risks of being a narcotics agent and the political point of view. It's hard to find a film that's so complete, everyone will feel connected to one of the storylines because everyone deals with or has dealt with drugs before, even if it's just a one time mariuhana use. That's why this movie will appeal to a very large crowd.
Anyway when you look at the flaws then maybe some will say that it takes too long, or that some of the scenes are a bit slow. But does everything go fastpaced in real life? It just tries to sketch a realistic view of handling with drugs. And maybe there isn't a lot of action going on, but that's not the goal of the movie.
The only thing I found when watching the movie was that the switching between movielines happened a little too often. I'd preferred if it stayed with one story a little longer. Just a tiny flaw that I personally noted.
Traffic is a film that has to sink in, when you start to think about it it just gets better and better. I can't wait for the official release here in Holland, so that I can see it again.
Oscar for Del Toro in any case !!!!!! And throw in an oscar for best film too. It deserves it.