Blow (2001)

Director: Ted Demme

Writers: Bruce Porter, David McKenna, Nick Cassavetes

Composer: Graeme Revell

Starring: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Franka Potente, Rachel Griffiths, Paul Reubens, Jordi Molla, Cliff Curtis, Miguel Sandoval, Ethan Suplee, Ray Liotta, Bobcat Goldthwait, Emma Roberts

More info: IMDb

Tagline: Based on a True Story.

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

My rating: 6/10

Will I watch it again?  No.

I saw this during it's initial release and again recently.  My feelings about it haven't changed.  It's not compelling enough for me to be engaged in and I think that the film not only wants to be compelling but it needs to be.  I think part of that might be Depp's average performance.  He didn't sell it.  Maybe George Jung (Depp) is like that in real life.  If he is then this would've been an acceptable time to use some artistic licensing.  Even with all of the films I've seen since that deal with the drug trade with the US and Mexico/Central America, this one still lies flat.  There's no denying that the style of this picture is heavily copied from GOODFELLAS (1990) from the opening, to the pacing, narration, songs, structure and so on.  Hell, it's even got Ray Liotta in it.  After seeing this then and now I couldn't help but think how this would've been so much better had it been directed by Martin Scorsese.  I feel like I'm in the minority in my lack of love for this flick.  Most everyone I've know who has seen this loves it.  I just think this should've and could've been so much better.