Human Traffic (1999)

One of my favorite films of all time, its a period movie describing the young party goers of the UK in the 1990's. It hits the nail on the head, the love, the empathy and the freedom of being young in a group of friends who are finding their way in the world through pure hedonism. The soundtrack is phenominal and I could real off quotes all day from the dialouge. "Any jungle in Guy!!". This is a must see for anyone who lived though this decade or anyone who didnt experience its true magic.

It commits to its schtick and does a great job at nailing it, to be fair. I did like the opening portion of 'Human Traffic' more than what followed it, though even so it's a fun time from beginning to conclusion. John Simm, Lorraine Pilkington, Shaun Parkes, Nicola Reynolds and Danny Dyer are entertaining and bounce off each other well. I did not know Mr. Andrew Clutterbuck was in this, was almost shocked when he first appeared - great to see him nevertheless! Odd in a lot of ways, but basically all of which are positive. Fair play to all involved for sticking the landing, it could've been severely cringe otherwise.

Though the story is a bit old-hat, even for 1999, there are some really energised performances to enjoy in this story of angst and frustration amongst five twenty-something friends. It's really all about poor "Jip" (John Simm) who's obsessed with not being able to get it up! Is he just so stressed to function? His best mate "Koop" (Shaun Parkes) has no such problems with his bored, burger flipping, girlfriend "Nina" (Nicola Reynolds). Then there's the misunderstood and frustrated "Moff" (Danny Dyer) and finally "Lulu" (Lorraine Pilkington) who's hitherto seemed the more grown up of the bunch, with little interest in men and their foibles. It's a Friday afternoon and skint as they are, they are set for a boozy, drug-fuelled weekend in the clubs. It doesn't start well, which requires a bit of bravado from think-on-your-feet "Jip" but then they're off! For the next ninety minutes we take turns following each of them, and their peccadilloes, as the threads gradually knit towards a denouement that's a bit predicable but that's not the point. It's the joyride leading up to it that's entertaining, foul-mouthed and fresh. It's got an authenticity to it that Simm, especially, and Pilkington positively wallow in. They are just like the rest of us were at that age - a hormonal mess of anxieties and despair mixed with a life's too short mentality and these five carry that off well. It does have a slight serious side - and I'm sure the analysts could write a book about their behavioural issues, or about the difficulties of parenting - bit that's all subliminally delivered in a maelstrom of noise, music and excess. There's some pretty shocking overacting now and again, too - but on the whole it's a good laugh.