TRAFFIC
Year: 2000
USA: USA Films
UK: Entertainment Film Distributors
Cast: Michael Douglas, Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Dennis Quaid, Salma Hayek, Luis Guzman, Steven Bauer, Benjamin Bratt, James Brolin, Tracey Brown, Erika Christensen, Clifton Collins Jr, Majandra Delfino, Greg Estevane, Miguel Ferrer, Albert Finney, Jsu Garcia, Topher Grace, Beau Holden, Kaizaad Kotwal, Tomas Milian, D W Moffett, Enrique Murciano, Marisol Padilla Sanchez, Alex Procopio, Peter Riegert, Emilio Rivera, Nick Corri, Amy Irving, Brandon Keener, Alec Roberts, Stephen J Rose, Rena Sofer, Stacey Travis, Jacob Vargas, Yul Vazquez
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Countries: Germany / USA
USA: 147 mins
UK: 146 mins
USA Rated: R for pervasive drug content, strong language, violence and some sexuality
UK Certificate: 18 contains strong drug scenes, coarse language and moderate violence
USA Release Date: 5 January 2001
USA Release Date: 27 December 2000 (Limited Release - Los Angeles and New York)
UK Release Date: 26 January 2001
Synopsis
A contemporary thriller set in the world of drug trafficking, Traffic is the new film from director Steven Soderbergh. The ensemble cast is headed by Michael Douglas, Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, Luis Guzman, Dennis Quaid, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Traffic evokes the high stakes and high risks of the drug trade, as seen through a series of inter-related stories, some of which are highly personal and some of which are filled with intrigue and danger.
Mexican policeman Javier Rodriguez (Benicio Del Toro) works on and around the border, with his close friend and fellow policeman Manolo Sanchez (Jacob Vargas), under Mexico's number one crime fighter, General Salazar (Tomas Milian). Confronted with temptations of power and money, Javier resists them but finds himself - and Manolo - caught in a web of corruption that leads to an untenable situation.
Back in the U.S., Ohio State Supreme Court Justice Robert Wakefield (Michael Douglas) is named by the President as the new anti-drug czar. Collecting information, the uncompromising and conservative Wakefield prepares to supervise the country's task forces and partner them with Mexico's. But, at home, he and his wife Barbara (Amy Irving) must deal with their increasingly drug-addicted teenage daughter Caroline (Erika Christensen).
In San Diego, undercover DEA agents Montel Gordon (Don Cheadle) and Ray Castro (Luis Guzman) work overtime to help the U.S. government build its case against the infamous Obregon drug cartel. Their bust of mid-level drug trafficker Eduardo Ruiz (Miguel Ferrer) pays off when their new prisoner cuts a deal to testify against wealthy drug baron Carlos Ayala (Steven Bauer), who lives in the upscale suburbs. Carlos is arrested, shocking his unknowing and pregnant wife Helena (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Helena and her son are quickly threatened by her husband's associates and tailed by the DEA agents. Enlisting the aid of attorney Arnie Metzger (Dennis Quaid), Helena vows to get Carlos out of jail and keep her children safe - even if it means taking over her husband's business.
