'TRAFFIC' PULLS INTO TOP SPOT FOR MOVIES OF 2000

"Traffic" (Rated R)

Few films can subjectively weave the stories of several distinctly defined
characters into an exhilarating patchwork of tragedy. Fewer still use that
same composition to shed the light on current affairs. Steven Soderbergh is
able to do both in directing "Traffic," and the payoff is a searing
masterpiece.

The war on drugs is a seemingly endless and complicated maze with an
increasing body count. Soderbergh's film has the courage to survey the
problem in America on all of its frustrating levels with intertwined
stories profiling people profiting from, trying to stop, or being
victimized by the drug trade.

The mosaic includes a new drug czar (Michael Douglas) who is cracking down
on illegal drugs leaking into the United States from Mexico, but is
unprepared to face the addiction of his own daughter (Erika Christensen),
and an honest Mexican police officer (Benecio Del Toro) who takes advantage
of the shifting political currents on both sides of the border while his
superiors complete affairs with drug barons. Meanwhile, two American DEA
agents (Don Cheadle and Luis Guzman) investigate a California couple
(Steven Bauer and Catherine Zeta-Jones) who have achieved wealth through
the largest drug-import business in the United States.

The performances in "Traffic" are uniformly absorbing. Douglas caps the
best year of his career, following his quirky performance in "Wonder Boys."
Similarly Zeta-Jones finally immerses herself completely in a role, and as
a result gives a riveting portrayal of merciless familial loyalty. The
standout, though, is Del Toro. Del Toro has given many superb supporting
performances, but never has he been in the forefront like this: a cop with
a coiled intensity and confident swagger underscored by a struggle with his
conscience as alliances shift all around him.

The real star, however, is Soderbergh. Following "Out of Sight," "The
Limey" and "Erin Brockovich," "Traffic" solidifies Soderbergh as one of the
greatest and most innovative directors working today. Soderbergh's biggest
asset is his uncanny ability not only to switch from genre to genre, but to
change his cinematic technique as well. Every film he makes looks and feels
completely different from its predecessors.

Soderbegh's films have always had a lavishly designed style to them. For
"Traffic," Soderbergh bathes the screen with graceful, sensual hues. The
Mexican scenes are slightly grainy, while the United States is washed in
blue. All locales are filmed with an intimate attention to texture and
detail -- at times the screen can be rough and weathered, or sharp and
polished.

Most impressive, however, is the fluid dexterity that Soderbergh reveals in
his ability to mesh the parallel storylines into one cohesive and stunning
whole. The events in the film may seem small and isolated, but when stacked
on each other they have a tremendous impact.

"Traffic" is a sobering reality about the longest "war" America has been
involved with. It's been going on for more than 20 years, and there is no
end in sight for it. The result is unquestionably the best film of the year.

Grade: A

"Traffic" opens nationally this month.

BEST MOVIES

Top 10 in 2000

1. "Traffic"

2. "Almost Famous"

3. "Gladiator"

4. "You Can Count on Me"

5. "Wonder Boys"

6. "Cast Away"

7. "Erin Brockovich"

8. "Billy Elliott"

9. "Croupier"

10. "Jesus' Son"

Unknown commodities: "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "Requiem for a
Dream," "Before Night Falls," "Finding Forrester," "Thirteen Days," "The
House of Mirth."