Standout performances by Depp and Cruz

Rating: 8/10 (9 November 2001)

Blow is a very good biopic on the life of cocaine kingpin George Jung (Johnny Depp) who rose to prominence in the 1980's as one of the largest cocaine traffickers in the United States. The story is an interesting character study of Jung, who started selling marijuana to pay some bills and found that demand continued to outpace his ability to supply until he had built a cocaine empire.
In an interview from prison included on the DVD, Jung states that the story was very true to actual events, and that in certain cases it was like a flashback. Jung appears from this interview to be a hapless soul who was willingly swept along by a riptide of forces that were beyond his sway, which is exactly how Depp portrayed him.
Johnny Depp is an excellent character actor who relishes playing odd and offbeat characters. In this film he gives one of his best and most nuanced performances with a clear understanding of the motivations and circumstances that spun Jung out of control. He plays Jung with naivetÃ© rather than giving him the sinister character that one might expect from a drug lord. After having seen the interview with the real Jung it seems Depp was right on target.
Penelope Cruz also expands her horizons, shedding her normally sweet persona to take on the part of Jung's shrewish, drug addicted wife. Cruz plays the part with great force and emotion, like a woman possessed. It is a fantastic portrayal of a bitter, self centered woman with a drug problem.
Paul Reubens continues his comeback from the ill fated Pee-wee Herman days with a solid portrayal of Derek, the double dealing hair dresser who becomes Jung's primary distributor. Rachel Griffiths and Ray Liotta also give fine performances as Jung's clueless parents.
This character study is well written and sympathetically presented by director Ted Demme. I rated it an 8/10. It contains standout performances by both Depp and Cruz and is well worth seeing.