Review for Blow
This was a film that I watched back when I was in high school. Jaime, being a big fan of Johnny Depp and the reason, we're doing the Depp Dive Podcast, has seen this quite a bit. I wasn't sure if I ever saw it start to finish, but I know I've seen a majority of it and knew the gist. We're in a stretch where I've seen most of his works, barring a few here coming up, that I was excited to revisit.
Now for this film, we are following George Jung. We start when he's a boy played by Jesse James and then he grows into Depp. His parents did their best in raising him, Ermine (Rachel Griffiths) and Fred (Ray Liotta). They also left a lasting impression on George that led him to where he became. He ends up being a major player in why cocaine took off in the United States as he worked with Pablo Escobar (Cliff Curtis) and the Medellin cartel.
What I'll say is that this film runs for two hours long, but it doesn't feel like it. We started this on a Friday night and we thought we were half, which turned out to be over that. When we sat down the next night to finish, it was over before we even realized. That is something I'll credit for sure. This also has a good heart to it, which helps. I know George. I think he gets caught up in an easy way of life and then once he gets a criminal record, he's trapped in that lifestyle. There's a good commentary there on the prison system in the US. It restricts the avenues for people and also puts criminals together without truly rehabilitating them. Jaime also commented that it seems to glorify what George did. I agree to an extent. The bigger thing seems to show that it is a hard and fast life that fizzles quickly. It gives it more of a real look at life.
Something that always impresses me with Depp films is the amazing cast around him. We have the likes of Penélope Cruz, Franka Potente, Liotta, Curtis, Paul Reubens, Miguel Sandoval, Ethan Suplee, Tony Amendola, Emma Roberts, Bobcat Goldthwait and Jaime King. That isn't naming everyone, but just names that stuck out to include here. Depp is great here but he also has help around him.
There isn't much more to say about this aside from saying that this is an interesting look at a real guy. It is a cautionary tale that has heart. Would recommend it for sure.
My Rating: 8.5 out of 10.
Now for this film, we are following George Jung. We start when he's a boy played by Jesse James and then he grows into Depp. His parents did their best in raising him, Ermine (Rachel Griffiths) and Fred (Ray Liotta). They also left a lasting impression on George that led him to where he became. He ends up being a major player in why cocaine took off in the United States as he worked with Pablo Escobar (Cliff Curtis) and the Medellin cartel.
What I'll say is that this film runs for two hours long, but it doesn't feel like it. We started this on a Friday night and we thought we were half, which turned out to be over that. When we sat down the next night to finish, it was over before we even realized. That is something I'll credit for sure. This also has a good heart to it, which helps. I know George. I think he gets caught up in an easy way of life and then once he gets a criminal record, he's trapped in that lifestyle. There's a good commentary there on the prison system in the US. It restricts the avenues for people and also puts criminals together without truly rehabilitating them. Jaime also commented that it seems to glorify what George did. I agree to an extent. The bigger thing seems to show that it is a hard and fast life that fizzles quickly. It gives it more of a real look at life.
Something that always impresses me with Depp films is the amazing cast around him. We have the likes of Penélope Cruz, Franka Potente, Liotta, Curtis, Paul Reubens, Miguel Sandoval, Ethan Suplee, Tony Amendola, Emma Roberts, Bobcat Goldthwait and Jaime King. That isn't naming everyone, but just names that stuck out to include here. Depp is great here but he also has help around him.
There isn't much more to say about this aside from saying that this is an interesting look at a real guy. It is a cautionary tale that has heart. Would recommend it for sure.
My Rating: 8.5 out of 10.
- Reviews_of_the_Dead
- Dec 9, 2024