Product: Blow [VHS] (2001)
Rating: 4.0
Entertaining and stylish. A must see.
"Blow" is neither the most innovative or well made movie about a the ups and downs of being a drug lord, but it succeeds as a docudrama about a drug dealer who's short lived success hardly made up for all the wrong choices he made. Johnny Depp, as usual, has the art of character acting down to a fine art.Depp plays George Jung, an ambitious kid who became a drug czar in America in the 1970's and 1980's. He came from a working class background where his father (Ray Liotta) worked like a slave to support the family. The catalyst was when his father filed for bankruptcy, and there Geroge vowed never to live in poverty. He moved to California, made connections, including a flamboyant hairdresser (Paul Reubens, in a standout role), and started the drug trend in America that "exploded like an atomic bomb". The movie has it's share of ups and downs, and George learns that maybe drug dealing isn't a wise career choice. He only learns this through a series of betrayls and blunders."Blow" is directed in a retro style similar to that of "Boogie Nights". The wild music, the over-the-top acting and characterization, and the stylish dialogue. While heavily dramatized, "Blow" is based on a true story, and according to the real Geroge Jung, was pretty accurate. Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz both excell themselves in their excellent performances. Ted Demme, who died after "Blow" was released, did an excellent job. He was definitely a rising star in the Director's Guild.The Infinifilm DVD package is a must own. The entertaining movie aside, it is crammed with extra features which are just as entertaining as the film. It has the usual featurettes, plus the examination of the story behind the movie. It shows the real George Jung, and the director's commentary is very insightful. In short, "Blow" is a fun and wild movie worth repeated viewings.