Blow (2001)

The story of George Jung, the man who established the American cocaine market in the 1970s.

Director:

Ted Demme

Writers:

Bruce Porter (book), David McKenna (screenplay),

Stars:

Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Franka Potente

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Johnny Depp	...	George Jung
Penélope Cruz	...	Mirtha Jung (as Penelope Cruz)
Franka Potente	...	Barbara Buckley
Rachel Griffiths	...	Ermine Jung
Paul Reubens	...	Derek Foreal
Jordi Mollà	...	Diego Delgado (as Jordi Molla)
Cliff Curtis	...	Pablo Escobar
Miguel Sandoval	...	Augusto Oliveras
Ethan Suplee	...	Tuna
Ray Liotta	...	Fred Jung
Kevin Gage	...	Leon Minghella
Max Perlich	...	Kevin Dulli
Jesse James	...	Young George
Miguel Pérez	...	Alessandro (as Miguel Perez)
Dan Ferro	...	Cesar Toban

Storyline

A boy named George Jung grows up in a struggling family in the 1950's. His mother nags at her husband as he is trying to make a living for the family. It is finally revealed that George's father cannot make a living and the family goes bankrupt. George does not want the same thing to happen to him, and his friend Tuna, in the 1960's, suggests that he deal marijuana. He is a big hit in California in the 1960's, yet he goes to jail, where he finds out about the wonders of cocaine. As a result, when released, he gets rich by bringing cocaine to America. However, he soon pays the price.

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Plot Keywords:

cocaine | 1970s | california | 1960s | prison | 

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Taglines:

Based on a True Story.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive drug content and language, some violence and sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

New Line Cinema

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 April 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Profissão de Risco

Filming Locations:

Spring Street Towers - 650 S. Spring Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$30,807 (Finland) (10 August 2001)

Gross:

$8,844,782 (Europe) (10 August 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Apostle, Avery Pix, New Line Cinema

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ray Liotta and Rachel Griffiths, who play husband and wife, share the same birthday, December 18th.

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Goofs

After George and Dulli steal the plane when they arrive in Mexico the plane is out of control as they try to land on the runway. They pass the waiting drug dealer still going at a decent speed, still bouncing up and down. In the next shot, as they're getting out of the plane, George and Dulli are right next to the crowd waiting for them. It would be impossible for the plane to have landed that close to the group after that landing.

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Quotes

[first lines]
George: That's a nice boy. Go get 'em, Dulli.

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Crazy Credits

A photograph of the real George Jung appears at the end of the film, as the credits start to roll.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Rachel Griffiths in Conversation (2012)

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Soundtracks

"Blinded By the Light"
Written by Bruce Springsteen
Performed by Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Courtesy of Creature Music Limited
Published by Bruce Springsteen (ASCAP)

User Reviews

Does what it shouldn't do

I find this movie VERY GOOD! In fact, the end nearly brought me to tears. This movie does something that shouldn't be, but it is. By the end of the movie, you feel SO SORRY for a drug dealing thief. It's amazing how they tell the story, and by the end you want to go see this man and say how sorry you were. I believe that it's one of Johnny's best roles and really makes you think some. This movie has been underrated by many people because it's about drugs, but the story is just a story, but the message it brings and the emotions it triggers, are lasting. I recommend this movie to anyone that wants to see a Good Film.