Cocaine Cowboys
Cocaine Cowboys

Cocaine Cowboys

1979Movie83 minEnglish

A rock band is on the brink of super-stardom. Until now they've juggled their music career with cocaine smuggling. The musicians and their manager wish to sever ties with organized-crime, leave the drug world behind and concentrate on music. They are coerced into doing one last job for the Mob. They lose the $2 million of cocaine and find themselves marked men unless they can fulfill their obligations.

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IMDb7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Metacritic70/100
Google Users90%
Director: Lee HenryGenres: Documentary, Crime

Plot Summary

This documentary chronicles the rise of the drug trade in Miami during the 1970s and 1980s, focusing on figures like Jon Roberts and Mickey Munday. It details how cocaine became a dominant force in the city, leading to increased violence and corruption. The film explores the lives of the key players involved in the massive trafficking operations.

Critical Reception

Cocaine Cowboys was critically acclaimed for its unflinching look at the brutal realities of the Miami drug trade. Reviewers praised its raw footage and candid interviews with drug kingpins and law enforcement, offering a visceral and often disturbing account of a dark period in American history. It's considered a seminal work in the genre of crime documentaries.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its shocking authenticity and access to key figures.
  • Lauded for its compelling narrative and historical significance in documenting the drug war.
  • Criticized by some for its potentially sensationalist portrayal, though generally seen as essential viewing.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly praise 'Cocaine Cowboys' for its gripping and realistic portrayal of the Miami drug scene. Many highlight the shocking nature of the interviews and the raw, unfiltered look at the era's violence and excess. It's frequently recommended for its historical insight and intense storytelling.

Fun Fact

The filmmakers gained unprecedented access to figures like Jon Roberts and Mickey Munday, who were serving long prison sentences, allowing for incredibly candid and revealing interviews that form the backbone of the documentary.

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