Unsympathetic Hero gives lead to good film.

Rating: 8/10 (30 December 2002)

Ted Demme directs this morality tale of a truly unsympathetic hero
and Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz have never been better.
Everything about this one is good and solid, if only the poor
schmuck at the center of this story would have chosen to make an
honest living instead of trying to take the so-called "easy" way out.
I mean, really, how poorly are we supposed to feel for the guy who
introduced cocaine to the American masses?
A bit of miscasting with Rachel Griffiths and Ray Liotta as Johnny
Depp's parents. As talented as these two are, I didn't buy them as
his folks.
That aside, it's a good movie worth watching more than once, as
it's very layered with many characters that parlay the decade of
decadence, including a turn by Paul (PeeWee Herman) Reubens
as a hair dresser cum drug dealer. Too bad for that, too, as it's a
reminder of his hidden talents that will forever be locked away for
various felonioius violations (at least they should be).
For fans of Johnny Depp, this is a must see, but it is Peneloope
Cruz who is absolutely riveting in her portrayal of his consuming
wife with an insatiable appetite for party fortunes.