The story of how George Jung, along with the Medellín Cartel headed by Pablo Escobar, established the American cocaine market in the 1970s in the United States.The story of how George Jung, along with the Medellín Cartel headed by Pablo Escobar, established the American cocaine market in the 1970s in the United States.The story of how George Jung, along with the Medellín Cartel headed by Pablo Escobar, established the American cocaine market in the 1970s in the United States.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 9 nominations
- Mirtha Jung
- (as Penelope Cruz)
- Diego Delgado
- (as Jordi Molla)
- Alessandro
- (as Miguel Perez)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe real George Jung was released from prison on June 2, 2014, to reside in a San Francisco halfway house. He was due to be freed in November, but was released early after fulfilling a plea bargain by testifying against his co-conspirators.
- GoofsIn the final drug bust, a crew member wearing a gold watch is visible behind the plastic.
- Quotes
[Narrating, last lines]
George: So in the end, was it worth it? Jesus Christ. How irreparably changed my life has become. It's always the last day of summer and I've been left out in the cold with no door to get back in. I'll grant you I've had more than my share of poignant moments. Life passes most people by while they're making grand plans for it. Throughout my lifetime, I've left pieces of my heart here and there. And now, there's almost not enough to stay alive. But I force a smile, knowing that my ambition far exceeded my talent. There are no more white horses or pretty ladies at my door.
- Crazy creditsA photograph of the real George Jung appears at the end of the film, as the credits start to roll.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: Spy Kids/Tomcats/Someone Like You/Amores Perros (2001)
- SoundtracksCan't You Hear Me Knocking
Written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
Performed by The Rolling Stones
Courtesy of Promotone B.V. / Virgin Records
Published by Abkco Music, Inc. (BMI)
It's a tale as old as time, the lesson of which is destined forever-- unfortunately-- to be ignored by those who seek the quick and easy road to wealth and happiness. Courage, it has been said, has many faces; one kind earns soldiers and citizens medals for rising above imminent danger. Another can be defined as being able to decline the carrot of ill-gotten gains when it is dangled before you. George lacked that kind of courage, and instead grabbed the promise it proffered with both hands, only to discover-- too late-- that it was empty indeed, and laced with unhappiness. It's a classic rags-to-riches-to-oblivion story, with a moral that will be embraced by those with the wisdom to build their house of brick instead of sticks and straw.
As George, Depp turns in a convincing, believable performance, portraying him as a misguided, rather than `bad' person. You sense that George's naivete enabled him to take chances and enter an arena to which common sense would otherwise have dictated avoidance, and because of that you are able to sympathize somewhat with him. Depp lends an innocence to the character in which you can find the kid next door, the good kid you grew up with and knew throughout your school years, and in retrospect, it would seem that George, a reasonably intelligent young man, simply made some very stupid decisions. And, as they say, the prisons are full of those just like him. But the most telling indication of who George really is and what he could/should have been, comes through his relationship with his father. And it is that which becomes the very core of the story.
As Fred Jung, Ray Liotta gives a poignant performance, presenting a very real person in a very real setting. completely avoiding any kind of stereotype into which this character could easily have fallen, Liotta plays him with a depth that averts sentimentality and makes the unconditional love he shows for his son entirely believable. It's a direct and understated performance that so clearly defines the true character of the man, and it is in the scenes between Liotta and Depp that the true nature of George is revealed as well, in which you begin to understand that he was just an ordinary guy who got caught up in extraordinary circumstances of his own design.
The supporting cast includes Penelope Cruz (Mirtha), Franka Potente (Barbara), Paul Reubens (Derek Foreal), Jordi Molla (Diego), Cliff Curtis (Escobar) and Max Perlich (Dulli). A cautionary tale for those who allow themselves to stray from the straight and narrow, the real impact of `Blow' is ultimately contained in the final frame of the film. It is a still picture of the real George Jung; and to fully realize what his life has been about, you need look no further than into the eyes of the man in that photograph. I rate this one 8/10.
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Inhala
- Filming locations
- Ontario International Airport - 2900 E. Airport Drive, Ontario, California, USA(Los Angeles International Airport scenes)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $53,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $52,990,775
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $12,443,461
- Apr 8, 2001
- Gross worldwide
- $83,282,296
- Runtime2 hours 4 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1