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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

Based on a True Story.

---

Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama

---

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

The scene at the hotel (where Johnny Depp gets shot in the shoulder) was supposed to be taking place in Miami Beach. It was filmed at a small hotel outside of downtown Los Angeles, where it was raining, and about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Shooting had to be delayed briefly, because the actor's breath could be seen on film.

---

Goofs

Towards the end of the movie, when George calls Derek from the payphone to make the final deal, a boom mic appears.

---

Quotes

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

---

Crazy Credits

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

---

Connections

Referenced in Rick and Morty: Rixty Minutes (2014)

---

Soundtracks

Glad and Sorry
Written by Ronnie Lane
Performed by Faces
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products
Published by WB Music Corp (ASCAP)

User Reviews

Not bad, but not for entertainment

I was a little curious to see Blow, it's my sister's favorite movie and one of my friends is absolutely in love with this movie, I knew my mom had it and finally watched it today. My mom and I have the same opinion on it, it wasn't a bad movie at all, but it seemed like it just couldn't keep our interest. I don't know, I think it's just those movies where you almost feel bad for the bad guys that always get to me. But the movie in some ways just seemed like it wanted to be the next Scarface, but it just didn't work, you know? This is a movie I was curious as to what drew Johnny to it.

He plays George Jung, a man who soon becomes the biggest smuggler in US history. If you know how these movies come along, of course, he starts big, he falls in love, falls in love again, makes millions of dollars, has a beautiful daughter, and seems to have the world at his feet. But when it goes to his head, he ends up loosing everything he tried so hard to keep.

I'm not sure if I would recommend this movie, maybe it just wasn't for me, but you'll have to see for yourself. Because like I said, it just seemed like it wasn't a bad movie, but I warn you that you'll feel a wanna-be Scarface in the mix, you'll see what I mean when you watch it. Johnny made an interesting decision by doing this movie, but different strokes for different folks I guess.

6/10