"BLOW"
{2001}

True story plot lines are a weakness of mine. Particularly when the protagonist is outside society's norm. Such is the case with Ted Demme's "Blow". Based on the true story of George Jung, a small time marijuana dealer who quickly escalates to "the man who established the American cocaine market of the 1970's". Imagine. You are responsible for procurring, supplying and ultimately profiting from a product {albeit an illegal one}that literally millions of Americans are buying.

Johnny Depp plays George perfectly. George is an extremely bright guy. At an early age he realizes that money is what makes the world go 'round; but money alone is not enough. You need the love and support of a good woman, your family, and the loyalty of friends to make the picture complete. But for all of George's understanding of these essentials and a keen mind for business and negotiating, he is an extremely poor judge of character. This is his undoing.

Women are a problem for George, starting with his mother. Not exactly a role model for love & loyalty. Fearlessly played by Rachel Griffiths, this woman is a shrew, whose sole interest is self. Ray Liotta as George's dad, is a loving and devoted father who thank goodness has enough love for two because what's lacking from George's mom is definitely in need of suppliment. During one of his parent's many domestic squabbles young New Englander George vows he will never live the life they have. Later as a young man in California, he realizes what he needs to do to make money, a lot of it and quickly.

Paul Ruebens as "Derek Foreal" deserves a best supporting Academy Award nomination. Suffice it to say that if you thought "PeeWee Herman" {for the record I always thought he was capable of more} was the only character Mr Ruebens could successfully articulate, he proves any doubters wrong here.

This is the first opportunity I've had to see Penelope Cruz' work, and while I didn't think there was anything particularly spectacular regarding her performance she does a credible job. As I understand it her prior characterizations {"Woman on Top"}have been 'girl next door' types. If that is the case she definitely breaks that pattern here.

Good job by the costumer, hair & make-up crew. They consistently and subtlely capture the look of the time and the character's circumstances without over doing it. Specifically when George sustains a broken nose. Johnny Depp is oh so dreamy in a white turtleneck sweater and what I refer to as his "Elvis TCB" shades.

It has been said that too much cocaine makes you paranoid. Maybe George should have indulged in more of his own product. Save for his first fiance Barbara {Franka Portente},the only truly good woman in his life whom he loses to a tragedy, and his childhood friend & California roomie Tuna {Ethan Suplee}, at every turn that George should have been suspect of his supposed friends he was not,and ended up worse off.

I enjoyed this movie. It gives us a glimpse of history {however infamous} and I like George Jung. George is currently serving time in Otisville FCI until 2015. Too bad. Seems like a nice guy. I think maybe I'll drop him a line.

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