Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic (2000) is a multi-narrative crime drama that dives deep into the complexities of the drug trade. Told from several perspectives—law enforcement, politicians, traffickers, and families—it presents a grim but layered portrait of the “war on drugs.”
Detailed Summary
The Mexico Storyline: Javier’s Struggle
In Tijuana, Mexican police officer Javier Rodríguez (Benicio del Toro) and his partner Manolo are drawn into a web of corruption. They’re recruited by General Salazar, who claims to be fighting the cartels but is actually using his position to consolidate power. Javier, initially loyal, slowly realizes he’s working for the wrong side.
The Ohio Storyline: Wakefield’s Moral Crisis
Robert Wakefield (Michael Douglas), a conservative judge, is appointed as the new U.S. drug czar. His mission is to spearhead America’s anti-drug strategy. However, at the same time, his privileged teenage daughter Caroline (Erika Christensen) spirals into drug addiction. The contrast between his political persona and personal failure creates one of the film’s most painful story arcs.
The San Diego Storyline: Helena’s Transformation
In San Diego, Helena Ayala (Catherine Zeta-Jones), the wealthy wife of drug lord Carlos Ayala, is thrust into cartel politics when her husband is arrested. Initially portrayed as sheltered and naive, Helena quickly transforms into a calculating player who makes alliances to protect her family and her fortune.
The Washington Storyline: Policy vs. Reality
In Washington D.C., politicians debate strategies to combat drugs. Wakefield navigates political posturing while being faced with the stark reality of his daughter’s crisis. His professional credibility collapses as his personal life implodes.
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Movie Ending
The film ties its threads in a way that highlights both despair and faint hope.
- Javier’s Resolution: Javier, disillusioned by the endless cycle of violence and corruption, makes a bold choice. Instead of trying to dismantle cartels directly, he offers information to the DEA in exchange for electricity to be brought to his poor neighborhood’s baseball field. The final scenes show children playing baseball under newly lit lamps, a bittersweet symbol of small victories in a losing war.
- Wakefield’s Collapse and Rebirth: Wakefield, unable to reconcile his role as the nation’s drug czar with his inability to save his own daughter, resigns during a press conference. He chooses to prioritize his family over his career, suggesting that genuine change begins at home. His last scene shows him attending a Narcotics Anonymous meeting with Caroline, taking the first real step toward healing.
- Helena’s Transformation Completed: Helena, now fully in the cartel world, arranges for her husband’s enemies to be eliminated. Her evolution from oblivious housewife to ruthless cartel matriarch is complete, showing how the drug economy absorbs even the unwilling.
- DEA Agents in San Diego: Agents Montel Gordon (Don Cheadle) and Ray Castro (Luis Guzmán), who worked to convict Carlos Ayala, witness firsthand how the system they fight against adapts faster than justice can keep up.
The ending underscores the futility of “winning” the drug war, presenting victories that are personal rather than systemic.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Traffic does not feature a post-credits scene. The film ends definitively with Javier’s baseball field moment, which serves as a quiet epilogue.
Type of Movie
Traffic is a crime drama / political thriller that uses a multi-strand narrative to explore the human, political, and economic dimensions of the drug trade.
Cast
- Michael Douglas as Robert Wakefield
- Catherine Zeta-Jones as Helena Ayala
- Benicio del Toro as Javier Rodríguez
- Don Cheadle as Montel Gordon
- Luis Guzmán as Ray Castro
- Erika Christensen as Caroline Wakefield
- Dennis Quaid as Arnie Metzger
- Topher Grace as Seth (Caroline’s boyfriend)
- Amy Irving as Barbara Wakefield
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Cliff Martinez. Known for his atmospheric, minimalist style, Martinez created a haunting electronic score that underscores the moral ambiguity and tension of the film.
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Filming Locations
- Mexico (Tijuana): Authentic border-town visuals enhance Javier’s storyline.
- Cincinnati, Ohio: Used for Wakefield’s suburban family life, contrasting innocence with hidden decay.
- Washington D.C.: Captures the political machine behind the drug war.
- San Diego: The sun-soaked setting contrasts sharply with the darkness of the cartel dealings.
The varied filming locations reflect the film’s fragmented narrative and emphasize how drugs affect every layer of society.
Awards and Nominations
Traffic was both a critical and awards success:
- Won 4 Academy Awards: Best Director (Steven Soderbergh), Best Supporting Actor (Benicio del Toro), Best Film Editing, Best Adapted Screenplay.
- Nominated for Best Picture and Best Actor (Michael Douglas), among others.
- Benicio del Toro also won a Golden Globe for his role.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Steven Soderbergh acted as his own cinematographer under the pseudonym Peter Andrews.
- Each storyline used a unique visual style: blue tint for Washington, golden/yellow tones for Mexico, and more neutral tones for San Diego and Ohio.
- Michael Douglas initially hesitated to join the project due to the raw portrayal of addiction.
- Catherine Zeta-Jones was pregnant during filming, which influenced the expansion of her character’s role.
Inspirations and References
The film is based on the 1989 British miniseries Traffik, which similarly explored the international drug trade. Soderbergh adapted the concept to an American-Mexican context, focusing on the U.S. as a key consumer market.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
- A longer version of Caroline’s descent into addiction was filmed but trimmed to keep pacing tight.
- An alternate scene showed Wakefield staying in office while quietly supporting his daughter, but Soderbergh chose the more powerful resignation ending.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The movie is not directly based on a book but adapted from the British miniseries. The U.S. version modernizes the context and expands the narrative scope, emphasizing America’s political stance in the drug war.
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Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Caroline smoking crack in a seedy motel while her father searches for her.
- Helena negotiating with cartel members, transforming into a hardened figure.
- Javier watching the children play baseball under the floodlights he secured.
- Wakefield resigning at a press conference, walking away from politics.
Iconic Quotes
- Javier Rodríguez: “In Mexico, law enforcement is an oxymoron.”
- Robert Wakefield: “How can you wage war on your own family?”
- Caroline Wakefield: “Somebody said that you could buy heroin easier than beer.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The color grading itself is a narrative device, subtly guiding the audience through the parallel storylines.
- Steven Soderbergh shot the Mexico scenes with hand-held cameras for added realism.
- Some characters were composites of real DEA agents and politicians.
Trivia
- Julia Roberts was originally considered for the role of Helena Ayala.
- Benicio del Toro learned Spanish lines phonetically to deliver authentic dialogue.
- Steven Soderbergh was nominated for two Oscars for Best Director in the same year (Traffic and Erin Brockovich), and he won for Traffic.
Why Watch?
Because Traffic isn’t just a film—it’s a mosaic of perspectives that challenges the viewer to see the drug trade not as black-and-white but as a system of interdependent failures and small human triumphs. It’s raw, complex, and unforgettable.
Director’s Other Movies (Steven Soderbergh)
- Erin Brockovich (2000)
- Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
- Contagion (2011)
- Magic Mike (2012)
- Logan Lucky (2017)
