Product: Blow [VHS] (2001)
Rating: 4.0
A solid movie.
When I saw the trailer, I expected the film to track off course in the beauties that linger in the drug world (excessive sex, money, fame & future). Having read the book by Bruce Porter* (higly recommended), I was disappointed how it didn't dive into the inner workings of the drug world. It kind of tapped along the edges and sometimes threw a little stereo-typical outlook on these illegal workings. However, the movie was extremely strong on ethics and morals. Johnny Depp gives a great performance while Ray Liotta swallowed the scenes with his stoic character. Penelope Cruz didn't and never has impressed me much. With her consistent portrayal of an average "Latina-chick" she has yet to crack through the envelope of being more than a person with an accent. She has yet to take scenes and have a presense. But she didn't ruin the movie by any means and for that the movie holds a pretty credible foundation. Now, The book didn't go deep enough into George Jung's feelings on matters. As for Demme's film, I do not know if his feelings are accurate, or just an artificially Hollywood-created personality but by the end I kind of felt sorry for him. Regardless of the drugs and deaths involved. And regardless to the drug wave that he helped sweep into this country. The movie, when all else is peeled and analyzed portrays a business man trying to support his family; trying to desperately fight off his father's predicament and he would've succeeded if he just knew when to quit.