Blow (2001)

Last updated:
September 28, 2024

Blow is a biographical crime drama directed by Ted Demme, based on the true story of George Jung, one of the most notorious drug traffickers in the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s. The movie traces George’s rise from small-time marijuana smuggler to a major player in the global cocaine trade, while also delving into his personal relationships and eventual downfall.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Introduction: Young George’s Dream

The movie opens with a young George Jung (played by Johnny Depp) growing up in a working-class family in Massachusetts. George’s father, Fred (played by Ray Liotta), is a hard-working man who struggles to provide for his family. George is deeply affected by his mother’s dissatisfaction with their financial situation and vows never to be poor when he grows up.

Early Days in California

As a young adult, George moves to California in the late 1960s, where he quickly embraces the laid-back beach lifestyle and becomes involved in the burgeoning marijuana trade. With the help of his girlfriend Barbara (played by Franka Potente), George begins smuggling marijuana from Mexico to the U.S. and quickly amasses a fortune. The operation is lucrative, but it all comes crashing down when George is arrested and sent to prison.

Meeting Diego and Entering the Cocaine Trade

In prison, George meets Diego Delgado (played by Jordi Mollà), a Colombian who introduces him to the world of cocaine. Upon his release, George enters into a partnership with Diego and soon finds himself working with the Medellín Cartel, headed by Pablo Escobar. George becomes one of the largest importers of cocaine into the U.S. during the 1970s, reaping immense profits.

This marks George’s rise to the top of the drug world, but it also introduces him to dangerous and powerful enemies.

The Personal Costs: George’s Relationships

Despite his newfound wealth, George’s personal life begins to crumble. He marries Mirtha Jung (played by Penélope Cruz), with whom he has a daughter named Kristina. However, Mirtha becomes heavily involved in drugs, and their marriage deteriorates as they both spiral into addiction. George’s relationship with his daughter becomes the central emotional conflict of the film, as he struggles to balance his illegal lifestyle with his desire to be a good father.

Betrayal and the Downfall

As George’s empire grows, so does the tension between him and Diego. In a pivotal moment, Diego betrays George by cutting him out of the business. Left without allies, George’s life starts to unravel. He is arrested multiple times, and his personal relationships deteriorate even further. Ultimately, George’s desire to make one last big deal leads to his final arrest.

The Final Blow

The movie concludes with George serving a lengthy prison sentence. He loses contact with his daughter Kristina, the one person he truly cares about. In a heart-wrenching final scene, George imagines a reunion with Kristina, but it is revealed to be a daydream. The film ends with George reflecting on his life, now full of regret and loneliness.

Movie Ending

The ending of Blow is somber and reflective. After his final arrest, George is sentenced to 60 years in prison, losing everything he had built over the years. His daughter Kristina cuts off all contact with him, which leaves him devastated. The movie ends with George fantasizing about reuniting with Kristina, but reality hits when we see him alone in prison, underscoring the personal toll of his criminal life. A closing note reveals that George Jung remains in prison, with no chance of parole until 2015.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Blow does not have any post-credits scenes. The film ends definitively, with George in prison, reflecting on his choices and his estranged relationship with his daughter.

Type of Movie

Blow is a biographical crime drama with elements of tragedy, focusing on the rise and fall of George Jung within the drug trade. It’s based on real events, adding an extra layer of intensity to the story.

Cast

Johnny Depp as George Jung
Penélope Cruz as Mirtha Jung
Franka Potente as Barbara Buckley
Rachel Griffiths as Ermine Jung
Ray Liotta as Fred Jung
Jordi Mollà as Diego Delgado
Paul Reubens as Derek Foreal
Cliff Curtis as Pablo Escobar

Film Music and Composer

The film’s soundtrack, composed by Graeme Revell, enhances the nostalgic vibe of the 1970s and 1980s drug scene. The movie also features popular songs from the era, including “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” by The Rolling Stones, “Black Betty” by Ram Jam, and “Blinded by the Light” by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, which help capture the freewheeling, hedonistic energy of the time.

Filming Locations

California, USA: Many scenes, especially George’s early days in California, were filmed here to capture the laid-back, beachy vibe of the state during the 1960s.
Massachusetts, USA: Some scenes of George’s early life with his family were shot here to provide a stark contrast to his later life of excess.
Mexico: Several key scenes involving drug smuggling were filmed in Mexico, reflecting the reality of George’s cross-border marijuana operations.

The locations are critical in showing the dramatic shift from George’s humble beginnings to his rise as an international drug lord.

Awards and Nominations

Although Blow did not receive any major awards, Johnny Depp’s performance was widely praised. The film garnered Best Supporting Actor nominations for Ray Liotta at smaller award ceremonies, but it was largely overshadowed by other films released in 2001.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Johnny Depp spent time with the real George Jung in prison to prepare for the role.
Penélope Cruz and Johnny Depp reportedly had great on-screen chemistry, but their intense scenes caused tension on set due to the emotionally charged material.
Director Ted Demme focused on creating an authentic 1970s vibe by using natural lighting and period-specific set designs.

Inspirations and References

The film is based on the 1993 book Blow: How a Small-Town Boy Made $100 Million with the Medellín Cocaine Cartel and Lost It All, written by Bruce Porter. The book details the life of George Jung and was the primary inspiration for the screenplay. The movie also references real historical events, such as the rise of the Medellín Cartel and the cocaine boom of the 1980s.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While no alternate endings have been publicly discussed, several scenes were deleted that expanded on George’s relationships, particularly with his parents. These scenes were likely cut to focus on the core narrative of George’s rise and fall in the drug trade.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie stays mostly true to the book’s account of George’s life but condenses certain events for dramatic effect. Some of the relationships in the movie, especially with Diego, are more fictionalized for tension and plot pacing.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

George’s first trip to Mexico, where he begins smuggling marijuana.
The moment George meets Pablo Escobar and fully immerses himself in the cocaine trade.
George’s final conversation with his father, where Fred tells him that money isn’t everything.
The heartbreaking scene where George’s daughter Kristina refuses to see him.

Iconic Quotes

Fred Jung: “Money isn’t real, it doesn’t matter. It only seems like it does.”
George Jung: “In the end, you’re just another sad story.”
George Jung: “May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The real George Jung makes a cameo appearance at the end of the movie as a convict walking into the prison yard.
George’s mother, Ermine, is shown to be emotionally cold throughout the film, a reflection of her role in George’s decision to pursue wealth at all costs.

Trivia

Director Ted Demme tragically died a year after the film’s release from a heart attack, making Blow his final movie.
Johnny Depp, known for his method acting, wore a prosthetic nose to more closely resemble George Jung.
The movie was released just as the real George Jung was beginning his prison sentence.

Why Watch?

Blow is a must-watch for fans of true crime and biographical dramas. It paints a captivating, gritty picture of the consequences of chasing wealth through illegal means, bolstered by Johnny Depp’s standout performance. It’s a compelling exploration of ambition, loyalty, and the devastating effects of drug addiction.

Director’s Other Movies

Life (1999)
The Ref (1994)
Monument Ave. (1998)

Blow (2001)