Deep Cover: Actores encubiertos

We've reached a point in cinema where simply telling a story without preaching feels almost radical. Deep Cover earns points for doing just that - it doesn't lecture, it doesn't moralize, it just spins a mildly absurd tale and has fun with it.

The plot revolves around Kat, a failed actress with a flair for melodrama; Marlon, her equally theatrical male counterpart; and Hugh, the mild-mannered tagalong who seems like he wandered in from another movie. The trio is roped into what appears to be an undercover operation by a cop named Billings, though "operation" might be too generous a word for what quickly unravels into chaos. Soon, they're knee-deep in actual criminal dealings, forced to "stay in character" as their improvisation turns into survival.

It's excessive and implausible, but somehow, it works. There are flashes of real fun, especially when Marlon, in full bluster, tries to blend in with two actual tough guys, only to be betrayed by a ridiculous commercial where he's in costume, mugging for the camera. It's silly, self-aware, and just meta enough.

Perfectly watchable popcorn fare, even if the scent of a sequel is already wafting in the air-and not in a good way.

What's scarier than being summoned up to the stage for a round of improv comedy? Going undercover in a ring of violent drug dealers? Such is the grimly hilarious reality in Deep Cover, an effective new action comedy that Amazon Prime, in all its infinite wisdom, has decided to randomly release with absolutely zero marketing or buildup, despite it having a pretty prolific cast. Three wayward, disparate struggling London actors (Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed & Bryce Dallas Howard) are recruited at their local improv dive by a shady DCI cop (Sean Bean) as part of a specialty undercover branch that uses improv actors to infiltrate illicit smuggling rings and gain intel. When their harebrained tactics literally land them in the trust and innermost ranks of a mid level heroin distributer (Paddy Considine, stealing scenes as usual) they are kind of forced to tough it out on their mission, which has become way more dangerous than ever anticipated. It's a very silly premise, as is any that crops up in a round of improv comedy itself but the film follows through on it admirably, with the lead trio finding ample bursts of comic inspiration, particularly Bloom who fancies himself a tough guy and gradually finds out that being one is kind of really stressful. Considine makes a super memorable character here as the scrappy thug who just wants out of the life, finding all the best bits of ironic humour in his lines. Also great is the ethereal Sonoya Mizuno as his weirdly angelic, trigger-happy lieutenant and the great Ian McShane positively devouring scenery as the head kingpin of the London underworld, his over pronunciation of an obviously intentionally silly Scottish accent a thing of deranged beauty. I'm not sure why they didn't market this at all, like whatsoever, but it's a fun bough time and all the actors are having a blast.

With a premise funny enough to sustain its entire running time, this action comedy directed by Tom Kingsley is positioned as one of the most rewarding surprises of the year with a satisfying comedy that makes you laugh out loud with its precise jokes placed in a script that allows its cast to shine at the appropriate and sophisticated moments.

Having a cast led by Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, and Nick Mohammed is already a plus, and if we add to this the fact that they play improvisational actors, the result is an effective and entertaining film that you'll have a wonderful time with. They are joined by actors like Paddy Considine, Ian McShane, and Sean Bean, creating a cast that will not disappoint in its intentions or actions.

The film takes us through a unique story, but one that makes the most of it, largely thanks to the direction, which never falters from the seriousness of its approach, even as it constantly seeks comedy to give us good moments. Its seriousness has the secret weapon of connecting with its main characters and convincing us at all times that they are surviving in a totally dangerous world, but in which they always manage to improvise to make us enjoy good moments.

It's a film that works equally much as comedy as action, managing to maintain the perfect balance of both genres to ensure a truly enjoyable and positive experience. We're in the presence of a film that, despite its imperfections, remains enjoyable and fun throughout. As viewers, we end up receiving a well-crafted piece of entertainment that keeps us having a good time and laughing at the hilarious actions and dialogues of its leading trio.

We're left with a film that will give you a fun time, a fun experience, and will leave you wanting more. This British comedy shines in a precise way, compared to a film that has an effective premise, despite being surrounded by the most common clichés of this type of film. However, it's handled well by everyone involved, resulting in a satisfying film that isn't perfect, but is very entertaining.

Deep Cover is a lot better than expected, especially for a streaming original. The central premise of improv actors going undercover makes sense in a weird way and it's got enough laughs interspersed throughout as well as just being really good at the undercover stuff. It's tense, twisty and always moving forward whilst still finding time for some decent character arcs for the main three to make it an even more worthwhile watch.

Bryce Dallas Howard anchors all the chaos and Nick Mohammmed's awkwardness is endearing. Orlando Bloom is easily the best thing about this as his character who loves to take method acting too far consistently gets the biggest laughs and is the most watchable presence by far. Paddy Consadine is a likeable mobster plus screenwriters Ben Ashenden & Alexander Owen also make a fun comedic duo who get away with lampshading.

Tom Kingsley's direction imbues the film with a greater visual texture than something released straight to streaming usually has. It's clearly been shot on location and isn't constantly over exposed which aren't high bars to reach but are greatly appreciated considering how many films struggle to achieve them. There are undoubtedly luls between laughs, counterbalanced by how good they are when they arrive.

You have to rate a movie for what it is, and for what it is (a silly good fun romp), this was fantastic. Laugh out loud funny at times with ridiculous yet highly likeable characters.

The plot is as over the top as the characters, who are as over the top as everything else here - and I'm all for it. Personal highlights were the high speed bicycle chase, the grenade scene, and "the nose" (when you know, you'll know).

So, where do films like this fit? Think of those movie nights where you wanted to watch something like Rush Hour, or 21 Jump St, and you have just found your next film.

Manage your expectations, then have a great time with this one.