Human Traffic (1999)

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Five best friends deal with their relationships and their personal demons during a nineties weekend. Jip calls himself a sexual paranoid, afraid he's impotent. Lulu, Jip's mate, doesn't find much to fancy in men. Nina hates her job at a fast food joint, and her man, Koop, who dreams of being a great hip-hop d.j., is prone to fits of un-provoked jealousy. The fifth is Moff, whose family is down on his behaviour. Starting Friday afternoon, with preparations for clubbing, we follow the five from Ecstacy- induced fun through a booze-laden come-down early Saturday morning followed by the weekend's aftermath........I love this movie, I was twenty two when the film was released, big into house music, and clubs, and I was the target demographic for this movie, and out of the thousands of films I have seen in my life,Mathis is one of those rare films that I an bias about, and everything in this film is perfect.Because I'm bias with this film, its not in my top 25 of all time, because that's unfair,mi love this film for its nostalgic value, every time I watch it, it takes me back to my halcyon days, before I had yet to worry about the struggles of life, but at the same time thinking about my future.The characters my be a little two dimensional, but you can relate to them, because they have so little to worry about, they have major issues over nothing.But subliminally, the film does hint to you the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Yes, the music is great, yes, being under the influence can make you feel more confident, but look at the problems of the five characters. Impotency, Paranoia, Unemployment, Trusting issues, and of course, laziness.All of the characters problems contra-indications to 'having it large', so while the film appears to be glamourising the use of intoxicating substances, it's still warning the viewers against the dangers.The film is never boring,with some wonderful cameos from the land of clubs and drugs, and it just feels like you are there, because at one time, you have been.Essential viewing if you were a clubber in the nineties.....

It is Cardiff in the late nineties; five friends head out for a weekend of drugs, alcohol, sex and clubbing. Through the Ecstacy-induced high to the alcohol-assisted comedown to the feelings of the morning after, their lives are on the brink of changing forever When 'Human Traffic' was released, many critics claimed that this was the last great British film of the nineties – and how right they were. This film is so inherently a nineties movie, it's like opening a time capsule. To be young was to be a clubber; to be living for the weekend, when mixing alcohol with drugs was a given. Writer-director Justin Kerrigan captures that oxymoronic feeling of immortality and insecurity beautifully, through five characters that complement each other so well.Obviously, the success of the characters hinges entirely on the success of the actors, and what 'Human Traffic' also gives you is a snapshot into what would (and could) become the future of British cinema. Top of the pile is John Simm, who went on to achieve well-deserved acclaim for Life On Mars. This is arguably his breakthrough performance, and he's a joy to watch.But, in my honest opinion, the plaudits need to go to Danny Dyer. For those with a decent knowledge of Dyer will know that he is mostly known now for playing really rubbish characters in really rubbish films. But in 'Human Traffic', he is brilliant. The character of Moff isn't the nicest – he is hooked on drugs, isn't overly intelligent, and is desperate for friends – but Dyer imbues that unlikeable character with a childlike innocence which you warm to. It's by far the best performance I've ever seen from him, and makes me realise why he managed to keep a career going. The rest of the cast is made up of actors who have since faded into the distance; which, to be honest, isn't surprising as the performance levels don't match up to Simm and Dyer. While everyone has moments of good work, it is never quite as consistent. I feel like there were better young actors at the time who could have done a better job.You could argue that the film is a bit dated, and it's not a bad argument to make. Obviously, the youth of the nineties is a lot different from the youth of today. But for those who were part of the nineties generation, 'Human Traffic' provides the same feeling of nostalgia that 'Trainspotting'. Both are films stuck in time, but not in a way that hurts them. 'Human Traffic' is a love letter to the nineties, and well worth a watch.

I watched this movie for the first time a couple of years ago. I have seen it five times since and i enjoy it more every time :) I think it accurately reflects the climate of the techno culture, even so many years dating from the production. The characters are very realistic.. in fact, i can say, that i know similar people in real life. They are ordinary young people, who are just finding their way around in life. Like many young people, they cope with very down-to-earth problems -like how to earn money and find time to have fun. Experience the wild side of being young.. this picture may not please all viewers because people lead such different lifestyles and not everyone can relate. I can :)

the film itself is absolutely brilliant, its that buzz, that rush that makes you just want to go out, blow your wages and loose yourself. It's what the weekend is all about, its our sanitation where we can come together as one and be ourselves without a care in the world. The film is layered in depth and the dialogue in places is just spot on, especially with Jip. The characters themselves are instantly likable, one in particular is obviously dyers character and his views on what "Star Wars" is really about, genius.If ever you've got an hour to kill before going out, stick on this, you'll immediately feel yourself growing in confidence, definitely recommend it.