Made after the X-Rated animated film, "Fritz the Cat," Ralph Bakshi's "Heavy Traffic" is considered to be his greatest work. Like all of Bakshi's films, it emerged amidst a storm of controversy due to its sexual and violent animated content. However, once the viewer gets beyond the shock of seeing an animated film with adult attitude, the symbolic details and creative genius of the work becomes apparent.
The film follows a young animator as he struggles to get out of his domestic situation, and to sell his films. The film is an extremely personal account of director Bakshi's own early life. As the story unfolds, the viewer sees the difficulties of growing up in an economically and socially depraved household, as well as in a racist environment. The main character struggles to find out who he is, and what he must do to free himself of all the restrictions around him. This is all a symbolic representation of Bakshi's own struggle to have his bold and adult natured animated films accepted among critics and the film world.
As for the creative efforts of the film, it is incredible and fascinating. Bakshi brilliantly meshes a wonderful musical soundtrack with all styles of creative animated symbolism, without losing its personal human touch. The end result is a creative animated masterpiece about growing up and becoming a free and confident adult, while challenging the contraints of society and the censors.
The film follows a young animator as he struggles to get out of his domestic situation, and to sell his films. The film is an extremely personal account of director Bakshi's own early life. As the story unfolds, the viewer sees the difficulties of growing up in an economically and socially depraved household, as well as in a racist environment. The main character struggles to find out who he is, and what he must do to free himself of all the restrictions around him. This is all a symbolic representation of Bakshi's own struggle to have his bold and adult natured animated films accepted among critics and the film world.
As for the creative efforts of the film, it is incredible and fascinating. Bakshi brilliantly meshes a wonderful musical soundtrack with all styles of creative animated symbolism, without losing its personal human touch. The end result is a creative animated masterpiece about growing up and becoming a free and confident adult, while challenging the contraints of society and the censors.