Human Traffic (1999)
Director: Justin Kerrigan
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Drawing on his experience of 'life in the bus lane', sticking dead end jobs for the promise of weekend clubbing, writer/director Kerrigan follows half a dozen Cardiff mates from the rush of Friday evening to the Sunday afternoon hangover. First up, there's Jip (Simm), party animal and bigtime romantic, temporarily handicapped by a case of Mr Floppy. Then there's vinyl pusher Coop (Parkes), his flirty girl Nina (Reynolds), her tough-talking pal Lulu (Pilkington) and wheeler dealer Moff (Dyer). There's not much you could call 'plot' here. Rather, the film proceeds through a kind of double-vision by which daily reality is warped, scratched and remixed in the fantasies of Jip and his friends. The film doesn't really come into its own until it hits the dancefloor. Put simply, the higher it gets, the funnier it is. The hyper, in-your-face style sometimes feels forced, and some gags fall crushingly flat, but I'd bet the chemical generation will embrace this movie, not only because it's wickedly good on the agony and the Ecstasy, but because Kerrigan's virtuosity is at the service of his honesty - you wouldn't be surprised to bump into any of these characters on a Friday night. The film emanates a bruvverly vibe that sends you out on a wave of euphoria.Author: TCh
User reviews of this film
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- Lauren said...
- Posted on Dec 04 2008 21:30 I got this film way back in 2000 and i couldnt believe how much it captured life in the 90's!! Yeah the film isnt the best in terms of plot or "well placed gags" but it makes sense if thats how you lived your life, you can relate to it. Brilliant Danny Dyer makes this film. 10/10
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- Lauren said...
- Posted on Dec 04 2008 21:30 I got this film way back in 2000 and i couldnt believe how much it captured life in the 90's!! Yeah the film isnt the best in terms of plot or "well placed gags" but it makes sense if thats how you lived your life, you can relate to it. Brilliant Danny Dyer makes this film. 10/10
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- jnl said...
- Posted on Oct 24 2008 14:09 wat a shit film u dunno wat ya 2alkin bowt english films r tha worse ever especially as its got shit actor danny dyer he thinks he is a fuxxin gangsta
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- Katie said...
- Posted on May 13 2008 14:54 I loved this film. It's lack of a defined plot makes it refreshing, like a glimpse into the lives of others. Lives don't have 'plots', they just happen. This movie has brilliant dialogue and great characters. 6 stars from me.
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- Andy said...
- Posted on Jul 12 2007 12:39 You really don't have a ******* clue about films! This is a fine film that isn't meant to have a huge plot! Its about real life London clubbers having a good time and is pure entertainment for anyone who enjoys having a good night out. You don't like ballsy & gritty low budget british films much do you! First time I've been to your site and I've just read 5 reviews and they all stink. Get your heads out from your arse and start giving credit to some new british film makers.
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Cast & crew
Director: Justin Kerrigan
Producer: Allan Niblo, Emer McCourt
Cast: John Simm, Lorraine Pilkington, Shaun Parkes, Danny Dyer, Nicola Reynolds, Dean Davies, Peter Albert, Jan Anderson, Jo Brand full cast
Duration: 95 mins
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