Review: Deep Cover

Directed by: Tom Kingsley

Written by: Colin Trevorrow, Derek Connolly, Ben Ashenden, Alexander Owen

Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed, Paddy Considine

Rating: [3.5/5]

While lines of work each have their specific skills requisite to thrive, it may surprise many the transferability of these skills amongst professions that seem worlds apart. We see this transpire with the world of improv actors and the work of undercover cops. When you think about it, they do utilize the same skills as Deep Cover displays through its very comedic approach. Quite the delightful surprise, this film allows its three leads to thrive in this tidy little story. 

Trying to succeed in teaching improv classes, Kat (Bryce Dallas Howard) stands out amongst her friends who have well-established careers. A metro police detective approaches her and two of her pupils to utilize their improv skills in an undercover sting operation. Intrigued by the idea, the trio agree but quickly discover they have fallen way too deep into a situation that will prove difficult to get out of in one piece. 

Seeing individuals find themselves in dangerous situations they did not ask for is nothing new in crime comedy films. It allows us to see everyday normal individuals having to operate in a world filled with hardened criminals engaging in some frightening illicit behavior. This comes with a mix of comedy and fear for these characters, especially when they have no real knowledge of how to operate within these circles along with the real stakes involved. However, there’s a distinct silliness that comes with these lead characters engaging in improvisational work, especially when learning exactly why they engage in this activity to begin with. 

As this trio continues to dig themselves deeper in this operation, they demonstrate the true value in faking it until they make it. The way they manage to navigate a seedy underground criminal world with zero knowledge and simply through a commitment to remain in character brings so much of the humor this film has to offer. That term has never felt so prevalent as in this film, and it demonstrates the commitment these characters have in staying within the context of their role, even when they receive stern reminders of the space they have not inhabited and what can happen to them if they make a mistake. It does make you think about the validity of cops looking to work undercover to take some improv classes, as one never knows when it will come in handy when doing their work. 

Kat serves as the primary protagonist of this tale, but the addition of Marlon (Orlando Bloom) and Hugh (Nick Mohammed) well and truly brings the banter one would want from a film such as this one. Bloom, in particular, does some hilarious work within this role. He, as an actor, curiously does not receive as many plaudits for his career given his involvement in some of the biggest film franchises in all of cinematic history. His appearance in films lately has become sparse, but he turns in and portrays the role of the self-serious and unemployed actor so well. Seeing him fluctuate between himself and the toughness he must portray while acting creates this hilarious dichotomy that makes me miss his presence on screen. On the other hand, we have Nick Mohammed, who made a name for himself with Ted Lasso and portrays an awkward man who finds himself in the world of improv. Both of these two actors play so well off of Bryce Dallas Howard, making them a formidable trio. 

For a film going straight to Amazon Prime streaming, Deep Cover did not initially carry much promise, but through the humor of the story and its fun cast, it more than surprised me in the quality on display. It combines a silliness that comes with the territory along with the danger of these improv actors engaging in a very seedy world. A fun time across the board, allowing for plenty of enjoyment to be had as we see just how far these improv actors can go and at what point this situation overwhelms them. Evidently, the overwhelming happens aplenty throughout, and we must see how they can possibly get out of this. The lead trio thrives, but the additional help of the likes of Paddy Considine, Sonoya Mizuno, Ian McShane, and Sean Bean helps bolster the overall enjoyment of this viewing experience.