The quick rise and hard fall of a drug dealer.

Rating: 10/10 (20 May 2001)

Johnny Depp delivers yet another luminescently complex performance as George Jung. Rachel Griffiths is brilliant as George's self-obsessed, materialistic mother. Ray Liotta is so good as George's loving, accepting and humble working-class father that he and Johnny Depp even seem to look like each other at times. Penelope Cruz has never been better as the Columbian siren who lures men to their deaths amongst the rocks of addiction. Paul Reubens is perfect as the double-dealing, easily duped homosexual dealer Derrick. In fact, the casting across the board was wonderful. Ted Demme's direction captures the intoxicated spirit of the time. And the score is evocative. We were so blown away and satisfied by the film that we canned our plans for a movie marathon and spent the rest of the evening in discussion.