It Doesn't Blow.

Rating: 6/10 (29 May 2015)

Blow (2001): Dir: Ted Demme / Cast: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Ray Liotta, Paul Reubens, Cliff Curtis: Based on a true story with Johnny Depp playing a drug addict whom will meet his daughter for the first time after years of separation. They engage in heartfelt conversation until he is made aware that she was never there. He glances hesitantly but the promise he had broken to his daughter before his prison sentence has long slipped his sanity. Title refers to his previous life until his addiction made it vanish as if snorting the drug made everything of value scatter like dust. It begins with his father's bankruptcy while his mother left home and eventually betrays him to the police. Film chronicles his days of selling marijuana to parole into Mexican territory. Structure is repetitious with painful consequences. Insightful directing by Ted Demme whose credits include Beautiful Girls and Life. Depp is tremendous as someone caught up in self deception while losing what matters. Penelope Cruz as his screaming wife is unfortunately unsympathetic. Ray Liotta steals scenes as his father who stands by his son despite his mistakes and his own. Paul Reubens stands out as a drug kingpin. Cliff Curtis is also featured as someone Depp goes into business with during his spiral into disaster. Great visual flair about a man who blew away everything that mattered most. Score: 6 ½ / 10