Blow by Blow

Offering proof that cocaine memoirs and philosophy do mix, Blow By Blow explores the making of the Ted Demme-directed movie Blow, starring Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz and Ray Liotta. Using images from the film, Demme's own behind-the-scenes digital photographs, dialogue from Nick Cassavetes and David McKenna's script, and poetry and short stories from the film's real-life template George Jung, the book expands beyond the traditional boundaries of film spin-offs. The real and fictional worlds of its ex-coke-baron protagonist are played off against each other whilst the film's themes of destiny and drugs are examined from all angles. Demme met big-time 1970s dealer George Jung in 1995 at the Federal Penitentiary in Rhode Island and became fascinated by this former partner of Pablo Escobar's eulogies about fate. Compelled to bring Jung's silver-spoon metaphysics to the silver screen, Demme offered the part to Depp, who also developed a close relationship with the jailed poet. Combining intimate portraits of Depp and Demme with Jung, evocative stills from the movie's 70s dreamland and the overlapping narratives of screenplay and autobiography, Blow is an absorbing book in its own right as well as a rich souvenir for fans of the film.