Convoluted and mostly unconvincing as a portrait of the drug underworld, Deep Cover [based on a story by Michael Tolkin] still carries some resonance due to its vivid portrait of societal decay and a heavyweight performance by Larry Fishburne.
Deep Cover
There's a thin line between catching a criminal... and becoming one.
1992 · 1h 48m · R
Action, Crime, Thriller
Directed by
Bill Duke
Overview
Black police officer Russell Stevens applies for a special anti-drug squad which targets the highest boss of cocaine delivery to LA—the Colombian foreign minister's nephew. Russell works his way up from the bottom undercover, until he reaches the boss.
Director and cast
- Bill Duke Director
- Laurence Fishburne as John Hull
- Jeff Goldblum as David Jason
- Charles Martin Smith as Carver
- Lira Angel as Bijoux
- Victoria Dillard as Betty McCutcheon
- Rene Assa as Guzman
- Gregory Sierra as Felix Barbosa
- Bruce Paul Barbour as Policeman (as Bruce Barbour)
- Glynn Turman Cast
- Bilal Bashir Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
What emerges is a powerhouse thriller full of surprises, original touches, and rare political lucidity, including an impressive performance by Jeff Goldblum.
In addition to Fishburne, it gives us a first-rate soundtrack, a clutch of splendid cameos, fine, grainy direction from Duke, and much pointed stuff about the hypocrisy behind the USA's so-called war against drugs.
Deep Cover eventually degenerates into so much gratuitous violence that 'kill' sounds like the most-used verb in the screenplay's last stages.
Rather than ride the easy cynicism of the script, by Michael Tolkin and Henry Bean, Fishburne illuminates his character's moral struggle.
More films
Le Samouraï (1967)
Crime · Drama · Thriller · GP
After carrying out a flawlessly planned hit, Jef Costello, a contract killer with samurai instincts, finds himself caught between a persistent police investigator and a ruthless employer, and not even his armor of fedora and trench coat can protect him.
- Runtime
- 1h 45m
- Director
- Jean-Pierre Melville
- Cast
- Alain Delon, François Périer, Nathalie Delon
RoboCop 2 (1990)
Action · Adventure · Crime · Science Fiction · Thriller · R
After a successful deployment of the RoboCop Law Enforcement unit, OCP sees its goal of urban pacification come closer and closer, but as this develops, a new narcotic known as "Nuke" invades the streets led by God-delirious leader Cane. As this menace grows, it may prove to be too much for Murphy to handle. OCP tries to replicate the ...
- Runtime
- 1h 57m
- Director
- Irvin Kershner
- Cast
- Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Tom Noonan
RoboCop 3 (1993)
Action · Adventure · Crime · Science Fiction · Thriller · PG-13
The mega corporation Omni Consumer Products is still bent on creating their pet project, Delta City, to replace the rotting city of Detroit. Unfortunately, the inhabitants of the area have no intention of abandoning their homes simply for desires of the company. To this end, OCP have decided to force them to leave by employing a ruthle...
- Runtime
- 1h 45m
- Director
- Fred Dekker
- Cast
- Robert John Burke, Nancy Allen, Mario Machado
A Serbian Film (2010)
Crime · Horror · Thriller · NC-17
Retired porn star Milos leads a normal family life trying to make ends meet. Presented with the opportunity of a lifetime to financially support his family for the rest of their lives, Milos must participate in one last mysterious film. From then on, Milos is drawn into a maelstrom of unbelievable cruelty and mayhem.
- Runtime
- 1h 44m
- Director
- Srđan Spasojević
- Cast
- Srđan 'Žika' Todorović, Sergej Trifunović, Jelena Gavrilović
Black Butterfly (2017)
Drama · Mystery · Thriller · R
Paul is a down-on-his-luck screenwriter who picks up a drifter and offers him a place to stay. However, when the deranged stranger takes Paul hostage and forces him to write, their unhinged relationship brings buried secrets to light.
- Runtime
- 1h 33m
- Director
- Brian Goodman
- Cast
- Nicolas Cage, Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Rhys Meyers
The Lorax (2012)
Animation · Family · PG
A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.
- Runtime
- 1h 26m
- Director
- Kyle Balda, Chris Renaud
- Cast
- Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Ed Helms
Home Makeover (2010)
Animation · Comedy · Family · N/A
When a social worker visits Gru’s house to assess its suitability for children, chaos ensues. Margo, Edith, and Agnes, along with the ever-mischievous Minions, scramble to give the home a makeover in record time. Their attempts to create a warm and inviting environment quickly spiral into hilarity as the Minions’ unorthodox methods lea...
- Runtime
- 5m
- Director
- Kyle Balda, Samuel Tourneux
- Cast
- Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Kate Fisher
Orientation Day (2010)
Animation · Comedy · Family · N/A
The Minions embark on their first day of work, eager to prove themselves in their new roles. After watching a hilariously outdated 'Initiation Video,' three rookie Minions take on bomb-carrying duty. Predictably, their enthusiasm quickly spirals into chaos as they bungle the simplest of tasks. Packed with slapstick comedy and the Minio...
- Runtime
- 4m
- Director
- Kyle Balda, Samuel Tourneux
- Cast
- Pierre Coffin, Rob Huebel








Comments
Talk about the film with other members