Blow (2001), directed by Ted Demme, tells the rise-and-fall story of George Jung — a small-town kid who became one of the most prolific cocaine traffickers in American history. Played by Johnny Depp, George navigates the glamorous highs and devastating lows of the drug trade in the 1970s and ’80s, working alongside the likes of Pablo Escobar. With sharp performances, a killer soundtrack, and a sobering tone, the film explores the true cost of easy money and false promises.
Think you know every deal, downfall, and family fracture? Take our 10-question trivia challenge and find out if you’re a real student of the Blow life.
Blow (2001) Trivia Questions & Answers
- Who plays George Jung in Blow (2001)?
Correct Answer: Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp delivers a layered performance as George Jung, capturing both his charisma and growing despair. His portrayal makes Jung relatable, even as his choices lead to ruin, underscoring the film’s tragic tone.
- What illegal substance is George Jung most known for trafficking?
Correct Answer: Cocaine
While George begins with marijuana, his true infamy comes from smuggling cocaine for the Medellín cartel. His rise in the U.S. drug trade mirrors the broader explosion of cocaine use and crime in the 1970s and ’80s.
- Which real-life drug lord does George Jung partner with?
Correct Answer: Pablo Escobar
George connects with Pablo Escobar, gaining access to massive shipments of cocaine. Their alliance marks a turning point in George’s life — bringing immense wealth but also danger and instability tied to Escobar’s violent empire.
- What is the profession of George’s father, Fred Jung?
Correct Answer: Plumber
Fred Jung, played with warmth by Ray Liotta, is a working-class plumber who tries to instill humility and honesty in George. His grounded presence contrasts starkly with George’s later descent into excess and crime.
- What early lesson does George learn from his father?
Correct Answer: Money isn’t real
Fred’s remark that “money isn’t real” is a philosophical warning that George ultimately ignores. The film revisits this idea repeatedly, showing how George’s obsession with wealth leads him to sacrifice everything truly meaningful.
- Which actress plays Mirtha, George’s wife?
Correct Answer: Penélope Cruz
Penélope Cruz plays Mirtha with intensity and volatility, embodying both the seduction and destruction of the drug-fueled lifestyle. Her relationship with George is passionate but toxic, collapsing under addiction and betrayal.
- Where does George first get involved in drug smuggling?
Correct Answer: California
George begins his career in California, selling marijuana with his friend Tuna. What starts as a small operation quickly escalates, illustrating how ambition and opportunity can spiral into criminal empire-building.
- What happens to George’s relationship with his daughter Kristina?
Correct Answer: They become estranged
George’s greatest loss is not money or freedom, but his relationship with Kristina. His dreams of being a good father are shattered by his choices, culminating in a gut-wrenching scene where her imagined visit reveals his isolation.
- What ultimately happens to George at the end of the film?
Correct Answer: He is sentenced to prison
After being set up, George is arrested and sentenced to a lengthy prison term. The film closes with a somber epilogue, reinforcing that his empire was fleeting and the price of crime is often paid in years, not dollars.
- What is a central theme of Blow (2001)?
Correct Answer: The high cost of chasing the American Dream
Blow critiques the illusion of success built on shortcuts. George’s pursuit of wealth and status leads to personal ruin, revealing that the American Dream — when corrupted by greed and drugs — can become a nightmare.
