goodfellas meets scarface

Rating: 8/10 (5 December 2001)

Part Goodfellas, part Scarface and even part Traffic, Blow combines elements of all these great films and still has a feel all it's own. It is based on the true story George Jung who became one of the biggest and wealthiest cocaine dealers in history. The film traces George's life right from the beginning. An average kid with loving parents (well at least his father anyway) George yearns for more in life. Soon he moves to California and becomes the guy to know if you want weed. He does this for a while until he learns the big money is in coke and before long he starts to import. He becomes so rich that he has an entire house just filled with money. You basically know what's going to happen in the end, after all no one can stand on top of the world for to long without falling off. Plus its a true story, but the film moves at such a electrifying speed that you only have time to think about what's going on in the moment before something new happens and your concentration shifts once again. Director Ted Demme uses a style that comes extremely close to ripping off Scorsese, but it is forgivable since it fits the time period of the 60's so well. Johnny Depp gives one of his best performances to date, managing a Boston accent that is so subtle at times you don't even realize its there. Ray Liotta also does a great job as Depp's forgiving father in one of his only nice guy roles. The film's only weak link is Penelope Cruz who, as Depp's wife, gets very annoying after a while. Still, I've yet to see a better picture this year.