Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Blow

  • 20012001
  • RR
  • 2h 4m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
258K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
684
235
Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz in Blow (2001)
Theatrical Trailer from New Line Cinema
Play trailer2:21
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Biography
  • Crime
  • Drama
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
258K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
684
235
  • Director
    • Ted Demme
  • Writers
    • Bruce Porter(book)
    • David McKenna(screenplay)
    • Nick Cassavetes(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Johnny Depp
    • Penélope Cruz
    • Franka Potente
Top credits
  • Director
    • Ted Demme
  • Writers
    • Bruce Porter(book)
    • David McKenna(screenplay)
    • Nick Cassavetes(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Johnny Depp
    • Penélope Cruz
    • Franka Potente
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 484User reviews
    • 138Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 9 nominations

    Videos2

    Blow
    Trailer 2:21
    Blow
    Blow
    Trailer 0:31
    Blow

    Photos210

    Paul Reubens in Blow (2001)
    Johnny Depp and Franka Potente in Blow (2001)
    Johnny Depp, Jordi Mollà, and Jennifer Gimenez in Blow (2001)
    Johnny Depp in Blow (2001)
    Johnny Depp in Blow (2001)
    Johnny Depp in Blow (2001)
    Johnny Depp and Jordi Mollà star
    Penélope Cruz in Blow (2001)
    Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz in Blow (2001)
    Johnny Depp in Blow (2001)
    George & Mirtha
    Ray Liotta in Blow (2001)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Johnny Depp
    Johnny Depp
    • George Jungas George Jung
    Penélope Cruz
    Penélope Cruz
    • Mirtha Jungas Mirtha Jung
    • (as Penelope Cruz)
    Franka Potente
    Franka Potente
    • Barbara Buckleyas Barbara Buckley
    Rachel Griffiths
    Rachel Griffiths
    • Ermine Jungas Ermine Jung
    Paul Reubens
    Paul Reubens
    • Derek Forealas Derek Foreal
    Jordi Mollà
    Jordi Mollà
    • Diego Delgadoas Diego Delgado
    • (as Jordi Molla)
    Cliff Curtis
    Cliff Curtis
    • Escobaras Escobar
    Miguel Sandoval
    Miguel Sandoval
    • Augusto Oliverasas Augusto Oliveras
    Ethan Suplee
    Ethan Suplee
    • Tunaas Tuna
    Ray Liotta
    Ray Liotta
    • Fred Jungas Fred Jung
    Kevin Gage
    Kevin Gage
    • Leon Minghellaas Leon Minghella
    Max Perlich
    Max Perlich
    • Kevin Dullias Kevin Dulli
    Jesse James
    Jesse James
    • Young Georgeas Young George
    Miguel Pérez
    Miguel Pérez
    • Alessandroas Alessandro
    • (as Miguel Perez)
    Dan Ferro
    Dan Ferro
    • Cesar Tobanas Cesar Toban
    Tony Amendola
    Tony Amendola
    • Sanchezas Sanchez
    Bobcat Goldthwait
    Bobcat Goldthwait
    • Mr. Tas Mr. T
    Michael Tucci
    Michael Tucci
    • Dr. Bayas Dr. Bay
    • Director
      • Ted Demme
    • Writers
      • Bruce Porter(book)
      • David McKenna(screenplay)
      • Nick Cassavetes(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Donnie Brasco
    7.7
    Donnie Brasco
    Public Enemies
    7.0
    Public Enemies
    Secret Window
    6.5
    Secret Window
    Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
    7.5
    Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
    From Hell
    6.8
    From Hell
    Chocolat
    7.3
    Chocolat
    Black Mass
    6.9
    Black Mass
    Don Juan DeMarco
    6.7
    Don Juan DeMarco
    Once Upon a Time in Mexico
    6.3
    Once Upon a Time in Mexico
    Sleepy Hollow
    7.3
    Sleepy Hollow
    The Libertine
    6.2
    The Libertine
    The Astronaut's Wife
    5.3
    The Astronaut's Wife

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      A lot of Johnny Depp's dialogue was improvised, including the scene where they are trying to find a place to put all their money from selling coke and his line "We're gonna need a bigger boat" (a quote from Jaws (1975)), which itself was improvised.
    • Goofs
      In the final drug bust, a crew member wearing a gold watch is visible behind the plastic.
    • Quotes

      [Narrating, last lines]

      George: So in the end, was it worth it? Jesus Christ. How irreparably changed my life has become. It's always the last day of summer and I've been left out in the cold with no door to get back in. I'll grant you I've had more than my share of poignant moments. Life passes most people by while they're making grand plans for it. Throughout my lifetime, I've left pieces of my heart here and there. And now, there's almost not enough to stay alive. But I force a smile, knowing that my ambition far exceeded my talent. There are no more white horses or pretty ladies at my door.

    • Crazy credits
      A photograph of the real George Jung appears at the end of the film, as the credits start to roll.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Spy Kids/Tomcats/Someone Like You/Amores Perros (2001)
    • Soundtracks
      Can't You Hear Me Knocking
      Written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards

      Performed by The Rolling Stones

      Courtesy of Promotone B.V. / Virgin Records

      Published by Abkco Music, Inc. (BMI)

    User reviews484

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    One of the most intriguing movies of 2001. **** (out of four)
    BLOW / (2001) **** (out of four)

    By Blake French:

    I don't think George Jung was a corrupt, sleazy drug smuggler, but, more or less, a young businessman making money to support his family and wild lifestyle. That is what makes Ted Demme's "Blow" different from other drug movies-it does not portray its characters as addicted lowlifes, but as recklessly successful, high powered individuals who simply want to live the American dream. The film is based on the true story of George Jung, whose image went from the average Joe next door, a high-school football star from a small Massachusetts town, to the world's premiere importer of cocaine from Colombia's Medellin cartel, who once supplied the States with over 85% of the total amount of imported cocaine in the 1970's and 80's. "Blow" is one of the best movies of the year.

    "Blow" covers a wide range of generations and locations, ranging from the turbulent 60's to the haze of the 80's, and from such areas of the North America like Massachusetts, Florida, Colombia, California, Mexico, New York and Illinois. The time and location span provided the filmmakers with a challenge. The film was shot in a variety of locations in Southern California and in Mexico. "It was a difficult film to schedule and shoot because it had so many different time periods. And since it was the story of a man's life, every scene was fairly brief which meant an incredible number of scenes to be shot," explains executive producer Georgia Kacandes.

    Covering so many years in a single film also tests the ability of the film's costume designers and makeup artists. The wardrobes, makeup and hair styles appear authentic and impressive. This movie pays close attention to even some of the most minute of details.

    George Jung's motives for pursuing drugs may have been triggered by his family life as a child. His father was a nobody construction worker who often struggled with money and his marriage. In the film, Ray Liotta plays George's poor but content father, with the versatile Rachel Griffiths as his bitter, unhappy mother. George vows to never live his life in poverty, no matter what.

    He moves to California as a young adult where selling marijuana supports his independent lifestyle. Paul Reubens and Ethan Suplee play George's drug-dealing comrades. Eventually, the authorities send him to prison for a while, where he meets Diego Delgado (Jordi Molla). An insider in Colombia's rising drug trade, this man educates George about the profits of selling cocaine. After serving his time, Jung becomes partners with Pablo Escobar (Cliff Curtis), the billionaire godfather of international cocaine trafficking.

    "Blow" displays a consistent and detailed portrait of the spectacular rise, and dramatic fall, of Jung and his travel towards turning powder cocaine into American's biggest drug problem. Ted Demme's direction is vivid, determined, and stylish. He reportedly conducted many interviews with the real life George Jung, as he makes very clear the early high life, and the dangerous reality of a drug smuggler's everyday lifestyle. Demme is careful to stay away from frequent potential distractions, like the drug use, side characters, family issues, and romantic interests. This is a vivid narrative of a very interesting character. It does display a message about drugs that we have seen before, but never in this stylishly innovative light.

    Laced with amusing detail and probing awareness, "Blow" defies the usual road of drug movies and provides us with tension and interest from Jung's many experiences-risky border crossings, ferocious consultation, unexpected deception, the persistence of the authorities, and unconquerable temptations. But untimely the film shows the true tragedy of losing your dreams to greed and drugs.

    Johnny Depp proves once again what a triumphant, adaptable actor he can be. He portrays George Jung with the perfect amount of greed, style, confusion, pride, and desperation. The real George Jung is in a prison cell in New York. Without possibility of parole, Jung's release date is scheduled for 2015. Depp acknowledged the responsibility that comes with dramatizing a true individual, but also the responsibility of the director. "I knew Ted was committed to the film, but I didn't understand how deeply committed he was to the real George."

    "Blow" becomes one of the most intriguing movies of 2001, but it even suffers in comparison to the incomprehensible achievement director Darren Aronofsky accomplished last year with his disturbingly real display of the downward spiral of four drug addicts in "Requiem for a Dream." That film gave us a cinematic taste of what drug addicts experience through their addictions and depravity. "Blow" still shines a fresh new light on drugs in movies, and perceptively portrays the story of a person from whom many can learn.
    helpful•156
    39
    • Movie-12
    • May 23, 2001

    FAQ2

    • Is George Jung still in prison?
    • While in prison, did George Jung's daughter ever come to visit him?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 6, 2001 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • WarnerBros.com
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Blow: One Man's Life
    • Filming locations
      • Ontario International Airport - 2900 E. Airport Drive, Ontario, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Apostle
      • Avery Pix
      • New Line Cinema
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $53,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $52,990,775
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $12,443,461
      • Apr 8, 2001
    • Gross worldwide
      • $83,282,296
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 4 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz in Blow (2001)
    Top Gap
    What is the Japanese language plot outline for Blow (2001)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in July
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    The Best Movies Coming This Summer
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.