Kid Cannabis

Kid Cannabis is a captivating true story brought to life in a 2014 movie directed by John Stockwell. The film paints a vivid picture of how a high school dropout turned pizza delivery boy from Idaho ends up leading a multi-million dollar international drug smuggling operation. The lead role of Nathan "Nate" Norman is played by Jonathan Daniel Brown, who effectively embodies the young man that lives the dream and nightmare in equal parts.

The film starts by introducing us to Nate, an 18-year-old living a no-frills life in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with his younger brother and single mother. He juggles between school, looking after his brother and his low wage job as a pizza delivery boy - a daily routine that leaves Nate eager for change. His life, however, takes an unexpected twist when he befriends a former private school student Topher Clark played by Kenny Wormald, and they delve into a risky yet highly profitable venture.

Their plan is simple - to smuggle cannabis purchased in Canada back over the border and sell it in the U.S. at a huge profit. The movie does an excellent job of highlighting the naivety, spontaneity, and audacious bravery of the young drug traffickers. It is through pure luck, a lot of nerve and the lack of effective border security that they manage to bring their plan to life. The initial success of their operation offers an explosive change in their lifestyles, taking these pizza boys to the stratosphere of sudden wealth, endless parties, and high-stakes risks.

Aaron Yoo features as a comic element and adds an extra layer to the team, fully embracing his role as the third wheel in the operation. The duo’s wide-eyed outlook on their business and their carefree, invincible attitudes are expertly portrayed by the actors, who manage to add an undercurrent of comicality. They transform from regular boys to 'gangsters' overnight, and the film comically illustrates their struggles with the sudden shift in identity.

However, as the business expands, so does the complications and the level of danger. The boys must navigate the dark world of nefarious characters, shady deals, and encroaching law enforcement. Director Stockwell ensures the movie doesn’t gloss over these elements offering an immersive view of the exhilarating and harrowing experiences woven into the world of drug trafficking. As their operation grows, so do their enemies - rival gangs, disgruntled customers and cunning law enforcement officers starts to crowd their tail.

Around halfway through, Kid Cannabis grows more intense as the narrative shift focuses on the inevitable consequences of their actions. The tension steadily escalates as the grim realities of the drug world start overshadowing their earlier triumphs. The allure of quick money and fast living begins to lose its luster as they begin to pay the unpredictable and harsh price of their risky business.

Jonathan Daniel Brown and Kenny Wormald provide charismatic and compelling performances as Nate and Topher respectively. Their portrayals allow audiences to see the evolution of their characters from naive, daring teenagers to desperate young adults consumed by the perils of their hustling life. Their engaging performances serve as the backbone that holds the narrative together.

Kid Cannabis does well to capture the roller coaster journey of Nate Norman — from his humble beginnings to his rise to power and his sharp fall. It is a compelling, thrilling, often hilarious, and ultimately sobering tale of ambition, youth, and the allure of quick wealth.

In conclusion, Kid Cannabis offers a potent blend of comedy, adventure and crime, reflecting the audacity of youth, the lure of easy money, and the steep price that comes with it. It is a modern-day fable reminding us that every dream carries a cost and every action, a consequence. As such, the film is not only a thrilling watch but also a thought-provoking work of art that will leave viewers reflecting long after the credits roll.