"Blow" qualifies as one of a few movies that seamlessly integrate cast, movie set, location, and smooth dialogue into a candid conversation among good friends. The intrinsic value of this movie can be seen in every scene played by every person acting in this movie. The directing by Ted Demme (The Ref) has the texture of a milk bath. The movie is simply a smooth ride.

      The use of young, hip sexy actors with a popular subject along with the era of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s allows related viewing for any generation.

      "Blow" is based on the true story of George Jung, a Boston suburb native in pursuit of the American Dream. George Jung is played Johnny Depp who gives us a very skilled performance. George is worried that his life is going to turn out like his dad and mom so he leaves Boston in pursuit of the good life. He has seen his dad, played flawlessly by Ray Liotta, go from a middle class workaholic to a bankrupt man struggling along in life with his wife. His mom is unsatisfied and ungrateful with the life she lives and blames her husband and her son for her shortcomings. George Jung wants no part of it so he leaves home and heads west to increase his quality of life.

      This is a movie that chronicles the life of a man that was responsible for over 80% of the cocaine that flowed into the United States in the 70’s and 80’s. Prior to that he was one of the biggest distributor of marijuana in the 60’s and 70’s. It is about the business of marketing and the joy of a having your closes friends as family. George Jung lived the highest life that any person could enjoy inside and outside of the law. That life was changed and altered by the love of his daughter and wife. To George Jung’s surprise his life is starting to mirror his parents, a world he swore he would never live in.

      The movie "Blow" is put together so well that a viewer may be at risk of taking the story itself for granted. You will not be able to tell how much effort went into making this film, especially the casting. The performances between all the actors are executed beautifully. The portrayal of their respected parts looks effortless as if they all had done it before. In fact you would think all of these actors have worked together before because they make it look so natural.

      Breakout performances can be seen in Penelope Cruz’s character. She plays Mirtha Jung, a Columbian native that is extreme in her desires. She gives an electric performance bringing along a sexy style to compliment Depps charm and quiet energy. Rachel Griffiths gives us a dynamic performance worthy of a few head nods. She plays Ermine Jung, George Jung’s mother.

      Ray Liotta and Johnny Depp give acclaimed performances adding value to their onscreen relationship. In isolated scenes you can view each one giving what seems like a casual performance not to be duplicated. In the scenes they have together they look like old pros.

      How many movies have you seen whereby the entire cast is an important ingredient to the viability of that film? Not many movies have that. This movie has the benefit of an all around cast an informed director and a playful yet dramatic script. Indeed there were some unresolved mysteries, which means that if it isn’t a thriller then the movie should not have any holes in it. But this movie had a few. There was a mysterious cancer victim and the mysterious relationship of George Jung’s parents. It was never really made clear why his mom was so bitter. She leaves, she comes back and then she stays and complains. What was her deal? Regardless, she delivered a solid performance. There was also a betrayal, common in that line of business that didn’t pan out. Why did the person betray him? Since George was obviously a smart man, why didn’t he see the pit falls? There are a few more questions that should be asked and answered but it doesn’t take away from a truly great film, about a profoundly impacting subject, in a few important era’s, brought to us by some high profile people, in a low profile way.

      Should this movie go on to garner some critical acclaims it would have more than deserved it. If it is passed over or misinterpreted it would be disappointing. “Blow” is a complete film, with a complete cast, dialoguing about an incomplete subject marketed by a grievous man. Director Ted Demme made an overt attempt at showing the possible parallels between George Jungs wife and kid with that of his parents. It was a questionable move because unless you have read the book you can’t really know if it was manufactured or not. So go see this movie and be free even if it’s just a moment and be convicted for a lifetime. This is not a movie that tells you how you should feel one way or the other about achieving prosperity through illegal means such as drugs, it just shows you how it is. Some of us want it kept illegal because it keeps the regulations off. Some of us want it legal to keep the violence down. All I ask is that we keep it real one-way or the other. Sometimes we create problems where none exist. By the way, the soundtrack is full of the best stuff.

Mac VerStandig, 2001