If you watch Blow and feel like you’ve seen something like it before -- you’re not alone. Fans of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights or Martin Scorcese’s Goodfellas will immediately see that this film owes a lot to both of those -- a lot. But this is not necessarily a bad thing.

Blow stars Johnny Depp as George Jung -- the first "big-time" drug smuggler/dealer in the United States. According to Jung, if you used cocaine in the 1970s or early ‘80s there is an 85% chance that it came from him. With this type of power Jung made himself enough money to literally fill a house. Jung’s upward journey into the world of crime netted him millions of dollars, an enormous house, numerous cars, and a beautiful wife (played to bitchy perfection by Penelope Cruz). His wife also gave him the only thing in his life that he said means anything to him -- his daughter. His success, however, was short-lived, and he came crashing down hard. Blow is Jung’s story told from jail (where he still resides). It’s the story of how a young guy, just looking to meet girls and make money, became one of the most notorious drug dealers of all time.

In bringing Jung’s story to the screen, director Ted Demme has created an epic in the vein of Goodfellas and Boogie Nights. And in doing so, he quite obviously borrows heavily from both of these films. Depp’s dialogue completely mirrors that of Ray Liotta in Goodfellas (in fact, Liotta stars here as Fred Jung, George’s father). The film’s wonderful use of music, and skillful editing also look and feel like they are straight out of Boogie Nights. And there’s even more mimicry -- lots more. But Demme shouldn’t be criticized for this because many other directors have done the same thing. Anderson, for example, borrows heavily from directors like Scorcese, Altman, and Tarantino. Demme simply uses a successful formula to create an intensely entertaining film.

So, in the end Blow isn’t all that original, but it is darn good. It grabs hold of you right at the beginning and takes you through the whirlwind ups and downs of Jung’s life. If it had kept this pace all the way through it would have been every bit the equal of the fine films it borrows from -- but the filmmakers blow it a bit in the final stretch. In watching Blow you realize that this is Jung’s story. As a result, it takes a bit of an unexpected turn when you find that it actually coerces you into liking him (notice how criminals realize their mistakes and plead for understanding after they get caught?). The film then tugs on your heartstrings as it churns out a plea for Jung’s daughter to come visit him in jail. It doesn’t need this. Nevertheless, this is but a small thing to criticize. This movie is mind-blowing fun and is this season’s best new offering. As such, it deserves a **** rating.

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