'TRAFFIC' FRIGHTENS, INFORMS, ENTHRALLS

The Drug War's Good Guys, Bad Guys And Fall Guys

(CNN) -- Steven Soderbergh's latest film, "Traffic," is being heralded as
an indictment of America's ineffectual war on drugs. Using natural
lighting, hand-held cameras, various film processes, and three separate
dramatic stories Soderbergh also has fashioned a blistering,
thought-provoking modern masterpiece.

The film is based on "Traffik," a 1989 British Channel 4 miniseries that
traced a drug route from Pakistan through Europe and into Great Britain.
Screenwriter Stephen Gaghan has placed the action in Mexico and the United
States, but otherwise has stuck to the main structure of the original.
Using a large ensemble cast, Soderbergh has created a deeply layered,
complex story that offers no solution for ending the war on drugs. In fact,
he makes a strong case that the government's drug policies are riddled with
good intentions that ultimately lead to hypocrisy, lies and failure.

Using three disparate stories featuring politicians, cops, victims, lawyers
and drug lords, "Traffic" looks at all sides of the tangled web that has
created the deeply disturbing problem of rampant drug use in America.

A 'czar' with a problem at home One story centers on Robert Wakefield
(Michael Douglas), an Ohio State Supreme Court Justice whom the president
has just appointed as the nation's "drug czar." His naivete about the
complexities of the country's drug problem is mirrored by his blissful
ignorance, in his own home, of his daughter's heroin addiction. Newcomer
Erika Christensen plays the daughter (Julia Ormond had the role in the
British version) and Amy Irving portrays his wife.

A second tale features the actual drug dealers and two undercover Drug
Enforcement Agency operatives trying to bring them to justice. Don Cheadle
turns in an excellent performance as Agent Montel Gordon, and Luis Guzman
plays his partner Ray Castro.

They've busted a mid-level drug trafficker portrayed by Miguel Ferrer. He's
their main witness against a wealthy dealer, Carlos Ayala (Steven Bauer),
who lives in an upscale suburb of San Diego, California, with his pregnant
wife, Helena (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who has no idea how he supports their
lavish lifestyle. When he's arrested, she finds herself suddenly enmeshed
with Mexican drug suppliers, the DEA and her husband's sleazy lawyer,
played by Dennis Quaid.

The third story packs the biggest punch. Benicio Del Toro gives an
Oscar-worthy performance as Javier Rodriguez, an honest Mexican border cop
who works in the trenches of corruption, power and greed where the drugs
enter the country. His gritty, stark portrayal is the heart and soul of the
film. Del Toro is an old-school method actor, and he digs deeply into this
rich and meaty role.

Great direction, photography The exceptional direction and hand-held
cinematography by Soderbergh (he uses a pseudonym, Peter Andrews, for his
camera work), give this film its frightening sense of reality. This
docudrama approach is highly effective, and takes an already provocative
movie and turns it into a genuine thrill.

"Traffic" is one of those rare films that manages to have a social
conscience without resorting to preaching, is heart-wrenching but not
sentimental, and insightful without offering standard solutions.

If you're one of those people who want to see all the films nominated for
Academy Awards, you'd better put this one at the top of your list.

"Traffic" opens nationwide on Friday. Rated R. 147 minutes.