Blow

Based on true events, Blow follows Johnny Depp’s George Jung as he almost single-handedly establishes the American cocaine market in the 1970s. Filmmaker Ted Demme, working from David McKenna and Nick Cassavetes, delivers a watchable yet extremely by-the-numbers drama that does, for the most part, unfold exactly as one might’ve anticipated, as Demme employs a familiar rise-and-fall structure that’s been augmented with the various touchstones and conventions associated with narratives of this ilk (eg the spending-money montage, the overuse of era-specific rock songs, etc). It’s worth noting, then, that Blow‘s entertaining atmosphere is due predominantly to the first-class performances and the energy with which Demme has infused the proceedings, with, in terms of the former, Depp’s magnetic, sympathetic turn as the protagonist matched by top-notch periphery players like Cliff Curtis, Paul Reubens, and Bobcat Goldthwait. (Ray Liotta’s heartbreaking performance as George’s loving, long-suffering father remains an ongoing highlight, to be sure.) And although the 124 minute running time does pave the way for a second half riddled with lulls and less-than-streamlined sections, Blow builds towards an admittedly sentimental yet undeniably powerful final stretch that ensures it concludes on a memorable, tear-jerking note – with the final result a decent-enough endeavor that’s rarely as consistently compelling as its individual parts.

*** out of ****