Blow (2001) [Movie Review]

Johnny Depp is to drugs as liquor is to everything.

I didn't just say that.

I don't have an alcohol problem...

*This review is not spoiler free*

Moving on... Blow is the true story of the man who more-or-less made the American cocaine industry. George Jung is the man I am talking about, played perfectly by Johnny Depp. Seriously, this man is an extremely talented actor. His weirdness makes me believe that he knew exactly how to act out of experience in this film. But enough about him, let's talk about the rest of the movie.

From the opening of the film it was clear to see that I was in for a treat. Well, sort of. You learn right off the bat that George's father, Fred (played by Ray Liotta), is the kind of father that all fathers should strive to be. He provides for his family, he loves his son, and he loves his wife even though she continually walks out on him for being "poor." Throughout the duration of the film, the father will continue to be the "good guy" and provide advice for George. Continually forgiving his son for any mistakes he makes, this is how fathering should be. George's mother, Ermine (Rachel Griffiths), is not such a good parent. The way she is portrayed makes the viewer hate her. She runs out on the family when she thinks there is no more money, and eventually returns and expects everything to be the exact same way it was when she left. She disowns her son when he needs her most. And when he was trying to make amends, she wouldn't even talk to him. She is shown to not be a good mother. 

After Fred files bankruptcy, even though his wife leaves him, he tries as hard as he can to prove to his son that "money isn't real." George being very young at the time didn't understand, all he knew was that he never wanted to be poor. So when the opportunity arose, he flew to California. While there he met the love of his life Barbara Buckley (Franka Potente). In addition to the lady, he is introduced to many things he had never witnessed back home. The most important being the whole purpose of the film: drugs. George finds a supplier and begins building his empire. Starting with marijuana, he proved his intelligence with his many ingenious plans. Unfortunately the plans don't always work out, and he is caught and sentenced to prison. Barbara dies shortly before his sentence, and figures he has no reason to run.

While inside, his cellmate informs him that he would be able to make a lot more money if he were in the cocaine business instead. This catches his attention, after all; money is the only thing that matters, right? So not even 5 minutes after he is released from the clink, he calls up his old friend and gets into the cocaine game. Eventually meeting Pablo Escobar! He will eventually meet Mirtha (Penélope Cruz) who will later become his wife, and mother to his daughter. He will again find trouble with the law, as all drug dealers do, and go on the run again. This time he is informed that all of his money is gone. 

Thus bringing a full circle. His wife now acts as his mother did. Constantly fighting in front of their daughter, yelling about money, wondering how they will be able to live. She brings him in to the police and later divorces him. Blaming every problem she has ever had on him, and even bringing the kid into the mess, making her also hate her father. This, I imagine, is the worst thing that George ever had to live with; his own daughter seemingly hating him.

The ending of this film was very sad. Yes, George did bad things in their life. Everyone does. Maybe he did more than others, oh well. The last scene is such a powerful scene. I highly recommend this film to anyone.

Rating: 10/10

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Discussion topic: How do you think George's life would have gone if he had not been incarcerated?