The film is a story of a group of twenty-something friends from Cardiff, united by their love of dance music, clubbing, drugs and house parties. They all also see their weekend nights out as a way of escaping banality and complications of day-to-day life. The movie's main protagonist and narrator, Jip (John Simm) hates his job in a clothes store, is sexually frustrated and constantly worried about his mother, who's a prostitute. His best friend Koop (Shaun Parkes), a record store worker, dreams of being a DJ and is eaten alive by his jealousy about his girlfriend Nina (Nicola Reynolds). Nina, after failing to get a college place, takes up a job in a fast food outlet, where she's being sexually harassed by her boss. The other member of the pack, Lulu (Lorraine Pilkington) is a student, but she doesn't seem to enjoy it and, needless to say, has her personal problems too, most notably a string of unfaithful boyfriends. The latest addition to the group, Moff ( Danny Dyer) who just moved from London , is an unemployed small time cannabis dealer, constantly bickering with his family, especially his strict father, who's a police officer.
No Rest for The Wicked!
We follow the bunch, as they meet on Friday night. First stop is a local pub, where they have a few drinks to get themselves into the mood. Alcohol keeps flowing, so does the conversation, which let us know more about each of the characters. Topics vary, from trivial to serious, but spirits are on the high regardless. One important fact we learn is a growing affection between Jip and Lulu, although both seem reluctant to talk openly about their feelings. After a few hours pass, they leave the pub and head to a rave party held at Asylum nightclub. They get in, but not without some trickery required, as they a ticket short. We're served with some real insight into the 90's club culture and its practitioners. There's more booze, drugs are treated like candies, yet the atmosphere is perfectly peaceful and laid-back. When the two "outsiders", some respectable journalists attempt to interview revellers, they're met with sarcasm and irony, as to say; this is our secret temporary paradise and you just keep to yourselves! Once the rave is finished they continue to a house party, where the idyll rolls on, but as they say...
What Goes Up Must Come Down
As the night draws to an end, narcotic effect fades away, paranoia and alienation creeps in. Conversations stall, faces seem strange and even threatening, personal anxieties strike with double force. Everyone goes home to face their mundane existence once again. On the upside though, Jip and Lulu finally confess their feelings to each other. which leads to Jip being "cured" from his sexual frustration.
On Sunday night the group meet at the pub to conclude the weekend. The mood is visibly positive once again, as they know that they can always count on each other and that another night out is only five days away.
Human Traffic is a fine work of then unknown Kerrigan and his cast. It paints a believable, unsentimental picture of "chemical generation" and is called by some "The Welsh Trainspotting". Club scene has changed since the movie was made, so has music, but if you fancy a journey back in time, here's your ticket. Enjoy!
- Directed and written by: Justin Kerrigan
- Starring: John Simm, Lorraine Pilkington, Shaun Parkes, Nicola Reynolds, Danny Dyer
