Based on a True Story.

Starring: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Ray Liotta, Paul Reubens, Jordie Molla, Rachel Griffiths, Franka Potente, Cliff Curtis, Miguel Sandoval, Ethan Suplee, Max Perlich, Kevin Gage, Tony Amendola, Bobcat Goldthwait 

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Danbury wasn't a prison, it was a crime school. I went in with a Bachelor of marijuana, came out with a Doctorate of cocaine, and after sixteen months, I was once again a free man." - George, about his time in Danbury facility

Why watch this? It's an insightful film into the drug business and how crime eventually doesn't pay.

Plot Summary: Based on a true story, the film follows George Jung from his beginnings as a small-time marijuana dealer to becoming the chief American importer for the Colombian Medellín Cartel in the 1970s. His rise to power and immense wealth is contrasted with the disastrous effects his lifestyle has on his relationships and personal life. The story details his inevitable downfall, which results in the loss of everything he has accumulated, including his freedom and family.

Dad's Preview: This film tells illustrates the life and high times of drug merchandiser George Jung. It gives off some real Goodfellas (1990) vibes, probably because it is narrated by the central character and Ray Liotta portrays his father. Jung, thanks to moderately middle-class parents, decides to shoot for the moon with his "career", which is to make as much money he can selling illegal substances. The entire film sees him either rolling a lavish riches, running from the law or sitting in jail. The drug trade is not glorified, and, man, we sure wish he'd listen to his modest, kind father's words of advice. Depp, as he often does, inhabits the role, and somehow makes him likeable. At almost two hours, I never felt the film ran too long. Perhaps it's my penchant to see unsavory people make bad decisions.

Spanky Pictures, Aposte; New Line Cinema