Drug lords, crime, drama, and shoot outs, these are elements that most movies in this genre have in common.

Rating: 8/10 (15 July 2005)

Blow Rating: 8/10
Drug lords, crime, drama, and shoot outs, these are elements that most movies in this genre have in common. Sometimes when put together they turn out unrecoverable and bad such as movies like the "Big hit". On the other hand, when these elements are combined correctly with excellent directing and a good story you have yourself and excellent movie. The movie presents dilemmas, fatherly love, and many other life lessons to be told through this mans journey.
Blow is about the story of George Jung, the man who establishes the American Cocaine market back in the 1970's. The story focuses on the ups and downs of George's life while trying to make it rich rather than working the regular 9 to 5 job like his father. There are multiple times when something seriously happens to him but he never takes note of them only to let the warning go over his head. One example would be at a simple drug trade mishap one evening. George's friend, Diego Delgado, who is a wolf in sheep clothing, is making a huge scene complaining about a contact secret in front of serious gang members who simply want quick business. You give me the money I give you the drugs type of deal, case closed. Things get a little hot and shots fire. George is almost killed in this incident which angrily in return he gives away his secret contact. The fact that his "friend" would be willing to argue, cause a shoot out, and almost lose a deal just for contact information should have been a huge wake up call. As we see though the entirety of the movie, George never listens to life slaps in the face. The many chances that most people never get were given to him in vein because he never took advantage of them.
Another thing I love about this movie is it's relationship issues and life lessons to George. His relationships with people come and go for the most part the movie. The only person who really sees him to the end was his father. His father was an excellent father figure for him. He showed George how he should love when ever he gets a woman . He showed him how to be responsible. "The ups and downs of life will come but you always get through it" are one of many good quotes the father gives to George. You couldn't ask for a better father in America especially back then. There are not many people I can name that have such a close bond with their father that their father would plead the 5th rather than snitch on his own son who has become a fugitive. Most people would turn their son in like Mirtha Jung , George's mother, in order to avoid any legal charges. This makes it a shame to how his life ends.
This movie really caught my heart at the end. "Once a druggie always a druggie" rings true somewhat in this movie in a sad way. We are left at the end feeling sorry for a fugitive criminal who wanted to turn his life around. Instead of trying to go clean, he attempts a final run with good intentions for his daughter only to let down her and his father.
With excellent acting my Johney Depp, and brilliantly directed by Ted Demme, Blow is a excellent crime/drama documentary of a piece of American history that should not be missed.