Cool Character

Benicio Del Toro's unique combination of effervescent charm and coolness was apparent as the tall, lean actor with sleepy-eyed exotic good looks prepared himself for an interview with Back Stage West. He was promoting his latest project, the Steven Soderbergh-helmed Traffic. The current "buzz" around Del Toro is that his ambitious performance in the film is positively Oscar-worthy and most likely his best work to date. As an auspicious portent to this possibility, he recently received the Best Supporting Actor Award from the New York Film Critics Circle for his performance.

Del Toro pulled a cigarette from the inside pocket of his leather jacket and positioned himself comfortably in his chair. It's all too common for Hollywood's current crop of young actors to light up without concern for any nonsmokers in the room. As evidenced by his acting ability and presence on screen, he is not typical of the crop. He apprehensively asked, "You don't mind if I smoke, do you?" giving me the impression that he wasn't merely being polite but would actually have disposed of the cigarette if I said yes.

Del Toro's off-screen charisma and coolness has obviously filtered into his performances. Not surprisingly, these characteristics led to his being one of the first actors director Soderbergh asked to be in this latest film. In Traffic, Del Toro rounds out a stellar ensemble cast that includes Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas, Don Cheadle, Luis Guzmán, and Dennis Quaid.

Soderbergh is, of course, not the first to recognize the attractiveness of this performer's unique persona. Del Toro has worked with some of Hollywood's most exciting directors, including Terry Gilliam in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Christopher McQuarrie in The Way of the Gun and The Usual Suspects.

"I like to work with anyone who wants to work with me," Del Toro admitted about choosing a director. "If they're good," he added with a coy grin. "I like to work with people?actors and/or directors?who can relate to the story they are trying to tell, such as Steven and this amazing cast."

Caught Up in Traffic

With a resumé comprising in equal measure mainstream and independent projects, Del Toro is uniquely positioned to become a major draw at the box office. His performance in Traffic, a contemporary thriller set in the world of drug trafficking?in which he portrays Javier Rodriguez, a Tijuana policeman?could push him to the forefront of Hollywood's young leading men. Rodriguez's story is one of three intricate plot lines dealing with the theme of drugs over the course of the film. Del Toro's character differs refreshingly from the familiar stereotype of Mexican males in stories involving drugs?in other words, bad guys.

"He is a good man caught in a