Director Rowdy Herrington, who gave the world the camp classic Road House with Patrick Swayze, does a far more credible job with this Traffic-like tale of drug running in Mexico. Shot in Puerto Rico in 2002, the film follows a human-rights activist (Jeff Daniels) investigating the deaths of laborers in Tijuana, much to the dismay of a state department official (James Spader) and a corporate spokeswoman (Portia De Rossi)—who happen to be sleeping together. The film benefits from credible performances but lacks the frisson of classic political thrillers and police procedurals.

Shelf Talk: Viewers of Boston Legal will welcome the chance to see Spader in a role that is typical of his earlier career as a sleazy operator. Also target those who are familiar with De Rossi, from TV’s Arrested Development and appearances on her partner Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show, as well as fans of Daniels, who has reinvented himself as a star of intelligent adult dramas (The Squid and the Whale; Good Night, and Good Luck).