Human Traffic (DVD 2002)

More a themed sketch show than a film in any real sense. Certainly as far as narrative, plot or character development go. So while some bits work and work fabulously some scenes, especially the earlier ones emphatically don't. There's a lot of stuff in here that's absolutely spot and that anyone who's been clubbing in the nineties can relate to but there's a hell of a lot of tripe as well.
This film certainly parrots a lot of drugs related clichés but then taking drugs, especially ecstasy is such a generic experience that in some ways clichés are perfectly excusable. And some of it like the spliff politics are amusingly done, with self appointed spokesmen for cannabis aficionados everywhere Howard Marks no less, although true stoners are divided as to the merits of this scene.
For those who've been there Human Traffic manages to strike the occasional chord and for the rest it's an occasionally amusing series of gags but it offers no real insight.
On a plus though it does have techno god Carl Cox in his acting debut! Its hard to shake the feeling that this is the last days of the last great spontaneous youth movement brushed up and rebranded for commercial profit. But it does have Carl Cox in it.

The Ecstasy-fuelled youth culture of England is examined in this buoyant, good-natured film from 25-year-old newcomer, Justin Kerrigan. A group of young Welsh revellers, including Jip (John Simm), Lulu (Lorrain Piliongon), and Koop (Shaun Parkes) endure their mundane jobs all week, and then cut loose on a typically wild Friday night of dancing, drinking, drugging, shagging, and then recovering in order to deal with their parents come Sunday. The film's guileless pro-drug stance may prove off-putting to more jaded and conservative audiences, but as a "peak" at England's thriving 1990s counterculture, it's a fun, fascinating document, and a cheery companion to TRAINSPOTTING (which was obviously a huge inspiration). Kerrigan fills the film with lots of surreal and fantastical digressions, direct addresses to the camera, and quote-worthy bits of slang. Energetic electronica pulses throughout for a dynamite score, which combines with the high-spirited performances of the cast and makes for good time, whatever your "buzz" may be. Its honesty about the good, great, and not-so-great aspects of the lifestyle should ring true to those familiar with the scene, and provide others with a thrilling, propaganda-free glimpse into club-kid nightlife. i bought this dvd because we used to watch it as teenages. i personally wouldnt reccomend this for under 18 because it makes drugs look cool and exciting with out the dire consequences. A good laugh if you dont take it too seriously. not reccomended if your offended by sex, drugs, drinking and excessive swearing.