***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** Soderbergh`s interpretation of the British mini series just about works , but why shoot yourself in the foot by making it arthouse ? Like THE LIMEY Soderbergh doesn`t seem to believe an audience will watch a film where characters walk about without any visual gimmicks . Why does the director have to shoot in sepia in order to show us where the story is located ? I`d have absolutely no complaints if the camera work was done in a fly on the wall style but that wouldn`t be enough for this director.
The other problem I had was the screenplay adaption . ( !!!! POSSIBLE SPOILER TO ORIGINAL MINI SERIES !!!! ) In the original Channel 4 show the story starts with a British politician meeting a Pakistani politician and a German businessman . As the story develops it turns out the Pakistani politician is growing opium , turning it into heroin , selling it to the German businessman who distrubutes it all over Europe and indirectly sells it to the British politician`s daughter who is a smack addict ( END SPOILER ) In this film there`s little connection between the stories , I think the closest we get is when Zeta Jones character walks past Javier . Another minus is the fact that if you`ve seen the original you`ll know what happens next plot wise because - despite the switching to an American location - much of what happens is identical to the mini series .
Maybe that`s why I enjoyed the Mexican sequences so much which is total invention on the part of the screenwriter and has no equivilent in the British original . Javier is an incorruptable Mexican cop superbly played by Benecio Del Toro and very understated . Is he gay ? He lives on his own but look at the way he picks up the suspect at the bar . Always good to see an Oscar for acting going to a non English speaking part
All in all a fairly good film that`s worth watching once . But be warned if you`re looking for a typical Hollywood thriller or have seen the original you may be somewhat disappointed
The other problem I had was the screenplay adaption . ( !!!! POSSIBLE SPOILER TO ORIGINAL MINI SERIES !!!! ) In the original Channel 4 show the story starts with a British politician meeting a Pakistani politician and a German businessman . As the story develops it turns out the Pakistani politician is growing opium , turning it into heroin , selling it to the German businessman who distrubutes it all over Europe and indirectly sells it to the British politician`s daughter who is a smack addict ( END SPOILER ) In this film there`s little connection between the stories , I think the closest we get is when Zeta Jones character walks past Javier . Another minus is the fact that if you`ve seen the original you`ll know what happens next plot wise because - despite the switching to an American location - much of what happens is identical to the mini series .
Maybe that`s why I enjoyed the Mexican sequences so much which is total invention on the part of the screenwriter and has no equivilent in the British original . Javier is an incorruptable Mexican cop superbly played by Benecio Del Toro and very understated . Is he gay ? He lives on his own but look at the way he picks up the suspect at the bar . Always good to see an Oscar for acting going to a non English speaking part
All in all a fairly good film that`s worth watching once . But be warned if you`re looking for a typical Hollywood thriller or have seen the original you may be somewhat disappointed