Guide Note

The 2001 dramatic American film Blow is based on the true story of cocaine smuggler George Jung. The screenplay is also based on the 1993 novel Blow: How a Small Town Boy Made $100 Million with the Medellin Cocaine Cartel and Lost It All by Bruce Porter.

Fast Facts

1. Release date: April 6, 2001
2. MPAA Rating: R
3. Run time: 124 minutes
4. Stars: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Ray Liotta, Franka Potente, Ethan Suplee and Paul Reubens
5. The film's Director, Ted Demme died of a cocaine related heart attack shortly after making the film
6. Grossed approximately $53 million in the U.S.

The film begins with a young George, played by Johnny Depp, growing up with his family in Massachusetts. George sees the money problems his family has and knows then that he wants to make something more of his life than his parents have. Fast forward 20 years and we see a grown George moving to a beach house with his friend Tuna, in the 1970s. Tuna brings home a small amount of marijuana with the intent to sell it for a profit. The two begin selling more and more marijuana, including transporting it across the country. One big transaction lands George in prison, where he meets Diego Delgado. Following their release they begin selling cocaine around the country and are highly profitable from the business. The film continues as George deals with life as a drug smuggler including lavish parties, trouble with the law and the violence that comes with that lifestyle.