Based on the true story of George Jung, the man who established the American cocaine market in the 1970s, Blow is a stylised adaptation of the book of the sordid tale.

The title of Bruce Porter's book - Blow: How a Small-Town Boy Made $100M With The Medellin Cocaine Cartel And Lost It All - says it all.

Brought up in a dysfunctional, working-class, East Coast American suburb, George Jung (Depp) is looking for something more in his life.

In the heyday of the 60s the coolest kids were on Californian beaches smoking dope. So that's where Jung and his mate Tuna head. But instead of just participating in the hedonistic lifestyle, Tuna and George take the lead.

This leads to jail, which gives them an introduction to cartel kingpin Pablo Escobar (Cliff Curtis) who, in turn, gives them a vaulting ambition in a world of drug trafficking.

Hundreds of millions earned, hundreds of millions lost - George Jung's roller-coaster life takes more turns in a week than most of us experience in a lifetime, but does it all end in tears?

Depp is sparkling as the crazed, conniving and greedy Jung who loves money, wild women and drugs. His blonde locks add authenticity to his retro look, which becomes more and more haggard as he pursues his dream down the slippery slope.

Penelope Cruz plays his hot-tempered, coke-head Colombian wife, Mirtha, who loves the money but can't cope when the bad times arrive on their gold-plated doorstep.

The late director Ted Demme depicts America's disco-era coke explosion in a colourful and good-time style. The music and fashion are enough to keep the eye amused whilst the scrip - though not food for the brain - will certainly keep the ears occupied.

Natalie Stone