Blow (2001)

The story of how George Jung, along with the Medellín Cartel headed by Pablo Escobar, established the American cocaine market in the 1970s in the United States.

Director:

Ted Demme

Writers:

Bruce Porter (book), David McKenna (screenplay)

Stars:

Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Franka Potente

3 wins & 9 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:

gay hairdresser | smashing a telephone | drug abuse | nosebleed | police officer | 

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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:

Blow: One Man's Life

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$53,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,443,461, 8 April 2001, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$52,990,775

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$83,282,296

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

George's last line, "There are no more white horses or pretty ladies at my door" is a reference to the Emerson Lake and Palmer song "Lucky Man".

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Goofs

In the scene after George meets Pablo Escobar and his associate is executed, Escobar's henchmen are dragging the "dead" body. However, you can still see the "dead" man isn't actually dead, the man's legs are bent and his feet flat on the ground.

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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

Referenced in Mike & Mike: Episode dated 14 June 2016 (2016)

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Soundtracks

Hair Do's and Don'ts
Written and Performed by Money Mark

User Reviews

Good Movie ! No White Lies!

`On your mark! Get set and blow!' And prepare yourself to one of the most provocative and entertaining films you will see all year. `Blow' stars Johnny Depp and is based upon the real life story of drug dealer George Jung. Depp's performance as Jung was outstanding and proves again why his outstanding diverse acting is all that is `cracked' up to be. Ray Liotta was just as good as the trusting father. However, Penelope Cruz as the materialistic drug dealer wife was not a woman on top with her acting. The most surprisingly energetic performance was by Paul Reubens (a.k.a. Pee-Wee Herman) who was once again a master of his domain as the drug dealing homosexual middleman (in more ways than one). All in all, this is one `blow' that does the job right! **** Good