Time: 100 Minutes
Age Rating: R16
Cast:
Bryce Dallas Howard as Kat
Orlando Bloom as Marlon
Nick Mohammed as Hugh
Paddy Considine as Fly
Sonoya Mizuno as Shosh
Ian McShane as Metcalfe
Sean Bean as DS Billings
Director: Tom Kingsley

When I saw Deep Cover advertised on Prime, I really didn’t think much of it. I have a habit of distrusting most straight to streaming films starring recognisable faces and names, and I admit that its very generic looking poster didn’t help. That being said, I noticed that some people were praising it, so I checked it out for myself and I was surprised to say that I actually quite liked it.

Deep Cover has yet another plot about normal people having to pretend to be criminals, the difference is that in this movie, the lead characters are improv actors who have to improvise their way through their situations. You can really buy the improv aspect, and it’s surprising that this premise hasn’t been attempted before. Its generic crime plot itself isn’t strong and is a bit of a mess, but was fine enough that it allowed plenty of room for hijinks. It’s delightfully silly and funny, most of the jokes land, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The weakest part of the movie is the subplot about a pair of cops chasing after the trio of protagonists. I get that this has to be part of the plot, but it felt like an obligation for the movie, and the quality of the movie dipped every time it cut to them. While I do like the improv aspect of the plot, it felt like outside of Orlando Bloom’s character getting into his role too much, the movie played it a little safe and could’ve done more with it.

The stellar cast helped to sell so much of the movie. Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom and Nick Mohammed are great and likable as the lead trio, with contrasting personalities and playing off each other really well. Bloom was the standout, he’s surprisingly funny here. His character being incredibly into method acting and the way he committed to his role led to plenty of hilarious moments, and this is probably some of Bloom’s best work. The supporting cast is also really good with Sonoya Mizuno and Sean Bean, and especially Paddy Considine and Ian McShane.

Deep Cover is a surprisingly good crime comedy, entertaining, hilarious, enjoyably silly, and with a great cast.