Intertwining vignettes frame this tale of America's escalating War on Drugs. Ohio Supreme Court judge Robert Wakefield has been appointed the nation's Drug Czar, his new position made more daunting by the discovery that his teenage daughter Caroline is a cocaine addict. Meanwhile, DEA agents Montel Gordon and Ray Castro are pursuing Helena Ayala, wife of jailed kingpin Carlos Ayala, as she seeks to the control the business that her husband had kept hidden from her. South of the Border, duplicious local constable Javier Rodriguez is fighting the battle with his own jaded, questionable ethical code.

Michael Douglas originally declined the role of Robert Wakefield, and it was offered to Harrison Ford, who accepted. Ford worked with director Steven Soderbergh to improve the character, but then decided not to do the movie. Douglas liked the change in the character so much, he accepted the revamped part.

Helena Ayala:
My husband was working on something he called "the project for the children". Were you aware of this?


Juan Obregón:
I don't know. Perhaps I remember something...

[Helena reveals a Spastic Jack doll]


Juan Obregón:
If you want to smuggle narcotics in Senore Espastico Jacobo, that is nothing new, Senora.


Helena Ayala:
No, not *in*. The doll *is* cocaine. High-impact, pressure-molded cocaine. It's oderless. Undetectable by the dogs. Undetectable by anyone...


Juan Obregón:
I don't believe you, Senora.

Continuity: When Javier Rodriguez Rodriguez and his partner are stopped by General Salazar's men in the opening sequence, Javier holds his hands against the steering wheel in a "surrender" position. As the scene plays out, his hands are alternately in the air or on the steering wheel.

Written by Fatboy Slim (as Norman Cook)
Performed by Fatboy Slim
Courtesy of Astralwerks Records