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A story about a man's rise and fall,
and rise and fall, in the drug industry. Unlike other drug stories,
this film has heart, and despite the storyline, it really is just
the story of a man trying to become more than where he started.
Indeed, he grew up in a home where money was an issue and many
troubles and arguments spouted because of it. So when George
heads west he comes upon a money making idea, and it works superbly.
He becomes a king of marijuana and wealthy and powerful beyond his
dreams. But the mighty fall, and in this fall he does not
become rehabilitated, rather he learns of an even bigger prospect:
cocaine. Making new connections and new found wealth, George
becomes the king of the cocaine trafficking of the 1970's. But
that's not this films true heart, in the heart of the film, the man
still wants to make his parents proud, and take care of the ones he
loves. He becomes a father, and in an effort to clean up and
be a loving father and husband he goes sober. Doing so, he
loses touch and face with his friends, and his wife is hurting.
But he's happier and healthier, and has the love of his daughter, so
it's all good to him. Until again he is busted, and loses
everything. While on the lamb, his wife turns him in.
Years later his drive is to just be a good father to his daughter,
and do what he must to make it so. The end is heartbreaking.
The strength of this film lies in the personal feeling Mr. Depp puts
into George Jung. He carries the film flawlessly through highs
and lows, happiness and sadness, through power and weakness.
At the same time the inner heart shows through in the actions and
words brought forth. As good as Depp is, the supporting cast
is also very strong ranging from powerful drug lords to eccentric
dealers (PeeWee Herman!) to the women they love. But mostly it
is Ray Liotta as George's father who really carries every scene he's
in. Liotta plays the loving father so well and so emotionally
it's no wonder this is the man George desires to become; not the
drug king, but a simple loving father. If Liotta is not as
believable, the film probably does not stand. On top of the
acting, is the great script. The story is beautiful with
unexpected (and expected) twists and turns and action and drama all
well written and well told. The pacing is excellent and the
story unfolds on screen beautifully both during the highs and lows.
The score fits excellently as well in the storytelling.
Finally, the direction and cinematography set the stage. The
use of different sceneries and film types only add to the effect,
where they could be a distraction as seen in Boogie Nights.
The eras of the 1950's to the 1980's and beyond were well accounted
for and represented both in scenery and film.
The only flaws I could find were the length was a bit long,
as some things could have been scaled down a little. Also,
some of the plot points were a little predictable and unbelievable,
but so minor that they did not detract anything from the overall
picture. Demme tells another great tale of a man finding his
way in the world, but the heart here is much greater than in
Beautiful Girls and all the pieces make this a great film.
9.5/10
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