Blow - 2001
Director: Ted Demme
Cast: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Franka Potente, Jordi Molla
Rating: 
A movie about drugs, love, agony, & family ties… what a combination! You will think. To start with, this movie is a true story… here we have a biography but with a director’s (Ted Demme) full mindset flexibility for delivering this story to the public. He could have chosen any mood, tagline, or genre to adapt the movie to… but he ended up with a great combination of feelings and moods drained to convey real facts about the life of a man, George Jung, who established the American Cocaine Market in the 70’s and controlled over 85% of the country’s ‘Blow’ supply.
Events’ transition is fast; the beginning is intriguing and the feelings are mixed. It catches your attention with a father’s desperate situation and a child’s vow not to replicate a miserable scene. Then the movie runs through a string of victories and failures that will puzzle your decision of who to love, hate, trust, or judge.
George Yung was an ordinary boy who silently carried his family’s worries. Being torn between his mother’s consistent nagging and his father’s bashful smile to cover up his despair, he took an oath not to live this life and never to be poor. He decided to get rich, find his perfect match, and make a family… the only thing he didn’t care for is how he’d make money… as long as it comes!
Luck came along with Tuna, his buddy, who traveled with him to LA where he started his “Pot” business with the help of his love-to-be, Barbara (Franka Potente). An unexpected rise followed later by a cuff in imprisonment when then a bigger sign called ‘Fate’ shined again in front of his eyes. This time it was his cellmate Diego (Jordi Molla) who introduced him to the world of cocaine and invited him to master it… this is when George Jung became “The Man” in the market. Unlike regular true stories, which sometimes go monotonic to serve the object of accuracy or for a later build-up, this story is tapped from all sides… you will not only meet gang members, mafia partners, and merciless criminals… you will also meet George’s parents, best friends, wife, and heart (as he refers to her)… his daughter.
In the end, thanks to Ted Demme for entertaining us with his last piece of art before he departed this life (for the sake of irony; Demme’s death cause was a heart attach induced by a cocaine dose).
Well, Yes! it’s good to learn about this phase in The States, meet one famous man back in the 70’s, see Ted Demme’s last movie, and watch two fine actors teaming up together (Johnny & Penelope)… Lots of good reasons to watch this movie!
Amazing movie. Amazing cast. Amazing performance, but a sad story of human nature indeed.
What’s with the true stories this year anyway? most of the movie are based on true stories, and half of them are about drugs
Cheers.
Those who know me sure expect some bows of respect here
JD’s performance…. don’t get me started! Brilliant as ever.
I was also extremely impressed by the performance of Jordi Molla (Diego)… Have to check out some more of his work!
It was great to see the very human side of a social criminal… he breaks your heart after all doesn’t he?
I love how the downfall of George Jung is summed up in just 6 words wrapping up the movie: “My ambition far exceeded my talent”.
One thing I hated… Penelope Cruz.. She has to be the worst female co-star of Depp so far. He had great actresses opposite him in most of his movies… this one was just a very bad match.
Actually I still believe that Penelope had a good performance back there, she wasn’t in her typical sweet personality at all which proves that Mirtha was such a bad person…
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