nothing new .. but interesting nevertheless

Rating: 7/10 (22 October 2001)

the movie offers nothing new in terms of druglords - just what we have seen before in scarface & the likes. however, the movie is well scripted, not too slow and progresses at a steady pace. johnny depp is very good as george jung.
the interesting thing about the movie is that it does not focus too much on the drug dealing or the narcs industry, but instead focusses on george jung - the man. why he did what he did, his aspiraations, his tribulations, his successes. his personal problems - the movie gives a terrific insight into the minds of this "evil" druglord.
however, a lot of it is rather unbelievable and am personally not too sure how much of this is true. anyway, in the end the same old "love for the family" succeeds, but there is no happy ending.
the movie is an attemp to show the human side of the druglord, does succeed quite well, but seems rather pointless. for some reason, there never really is much pity for the character. this, despite exaggerated portrayal of his various relationships, wheteher with his father or his first love, barbara or his daughter kristin sunshine.
in all, an average movie that tries to be different from other such movie, but doesnt quite make it.
an above average 7