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| name = Deep Cover
| name = Deep Cover
| image = Deepcoverposter.jpg
| image = Deepcoverposter.jpg
| caption = Theatrical poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Bill Duke]]
| director = [[Bill Duke]]
| writer = {{ubl|[[Michael Tolkin]]|[[Henry Bean]]}}
| screenplay = {{ubl|[[Michael Tolkin]]|[[Henry Bean]]}}
| story = Michael Tolkin
| producer = {{ubl|Henry Bean|[[Pierre David (film producer)|Pierre David]]}}
| producer = {{ubl|[[Pierre David (film producer)|Pierre David]]|Henry Bean}}
| starring = {{plainlist|
| starring = {{plainlist|
* [[Laurence Fishburne]]
* [[Laurence Fishburne]]
* [[Jeff Goldblum]]
* [[Jeff Goldblum]]
* [[Charles Martin Smith]]}}
* [[Charles Martin Smith]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Bojan Bazelli]]
| cinematography = [[Bojan Bazelli]]
| editing = [[John Carter (film editor)|John Carter]]
| editing = [[John Carter (film editor)|John Carter]]
| music = [[Michel Colombier]]
| music = [[Michel Colombier]]
| studio = [[Image Organization]]
| distributor = [[New Line Cinema]]
| distributor = [[New Line Cinema]]
| released = {{film date|1992|04|15}}
| released = {{film date|1992|4|15}}
| runtime = 108 minutes
| runtime = 108 minutes
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| budget = $8 million<ref>{{cite web | url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59225-DEEP-COVER | title=AFI&#124;Catalog }}</ref>
| budget = $8 million<ref>{{cite web | url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59225-DEEP-COVER | title=AFI&#124;Catalog }}</ref>
| gross = $16.6 million
| gross = $16.6 million
}}
}}


'''''Deep Cover''''' is a 1992 [[Cinema of the United States|American]] [[action thriller film]] starring [[Larry Fishburne|Laurence Fishburne]], [[Jeff Goldblum]] and [[Charles Martin Smith]], and directed by veteran actor [[Bill Duke]] in his third directorial outing. The screenplay was written by [[Henry Bean]] and [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Academy Award]]-nominee [[Michael Tolkin]].
'''''Deep Cover''''' is a 1992 American [[crime thriller]] film directed by [[Bill Duke]] from a screenplay by [[Henry Bean]] and [[Michael Tolkin]]. The film stars [[Larry Fishburne|Laurence Fishburne]], [[Jeff Goldblum]], and [[Charles Martin Smith]]. Its plot focuses on a [[Cincinnati]]-based police officer who goes undercover in a [[Los Angeles]] [[sting operation]] to bring down a [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] drug cartel.


Fishburne plays a police officer who goes undercover in a [[sting operation]] in Los Angeles to bring down a [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] drug cartel. The film received positive reviews, being likened by some critics to a modern [[film noir]]. It is also notable for its [[Deep Cover (song)|theme song of the same title]], composed by [[Dr. Dre]] and released as his debut solo single, which also features then-newcomer [[Snoop Doggy Dogg]] making his studio debut.
''Deep Cover'' was released in the United States on April 15, 1992, by [[New Line Cinema]]. The film received positive reviews, being likened by some critics to a modern [[film noir]]. It is also notable for its [[Deep Cover (song)|theme song of the same title]], composed by [[Dr. Dre]] and released as his debut solo single, which also features then-newcomer [[Snoop Doggy Dogg]] making his studio debut.


==Plot==
==Plot==
In [[Cleveland]], at Christmas 1972, Russell Stevens Jr. is the son of a drug-addicted, alcoholic man, who tells his son never to be like him. Stevens then witnesses his father getting shot and killed while robbing a liquor store. He swears that he will never end up like him.
In 1972, Russell Stevens Jr. witnesses his drug-addicted, alcoholic father getting shot and killed while robbing a liquor store. Traumatized by his father's death, Stevens swears that he will never end up like him.


In 1991, Stevens is a police officer. He is recruited by [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] Special Agent Gerald Carver to go undercover in Los Angeles, claiming that his criminal-like character traits will be more of a benefit undercover than they would serve him as a uniformed policeman. Stevens poses as drug dealer "John Hull" in order to infiltrate and work his way up the network of the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]]'s largest drug importer, Anton Gallegos and his uncle Hector Guzmán, a South American politician. Stevens relocates to a cheap hotel in Los Angeles and begins dealing cocaine.
Nineteen years later, Stevens is a [[Cincinnati]] police officer. He is recruited by [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] Special Agent Gerald Carver to go [[undercover police|undercover]] in [[Los Angeles]], claiming that his criminal-like character traits will serve him better in this capacity than they would as a uniformed cop. Stevens poses as drug dealer "John Hull" in order to infiltrate and work his way up the network of the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]]'s largest drug importer, Anton Gallegos, and his uncle Hector Guzmán, a South American politician. Stevens relocates to a cheap hotel and begins dealing [[cocaine]].


One day, Stevens is arrested by the devoutly religious [[LAPD]] Narcotics Detective Taft and his corrupt partner Hernández, as he buys a kilogram in a set-up by Gallegos' low-level street supplier Eddie Dudley. At his arraignment, Stevens discovers that he bought baby laxative instead of cocaine, and his case is dismissed. Stevens' self-appointed attorney David Jason, who is also a drug trafficker in Gallegos' network, rewards Stevens' silence with more cocaine and introduces Stevens to Felix Barbossa, the [[underboss]] to Gallegos. Felix kills Eddie when he finds out he's working with the LAPD and enlists Stevens as Eddie's replacement.
One day, Stevens is arrested by the devoutly religious [[LAPD]] Narcotics Detective Taft and his corrupt partner, Hernández, as he buys a kilogram in a set-up by Eddie Dudley, Gallegos' low-level street supplier. At his arraignment, Stevens discovers that he bought baby laxative instead of cocaine and his case is dismissed. His self-appointed attorney David Jason, who is also a drug trafficker in Gallegos' network, rewards Stevens' silence with more cocaine and introduces him to Felix Barbosa, the [[underboss]] to Gallegos. Felix kills Eddie when he finds out he's working with the LAPD and enlists Stevens as his replacement.


Stevens develops a romance with Betty McCutcheon, the manager of an art dealership which is a front to [[Money laundering|launder]] Jason's drug money. When one of Stevens' dealers is murdered by a rival dealer, Stevens is informed by Jason that if he doesn't retaliate, other street dealers will view it as a sign of weakness, and in turn murder him. Steven follows the rival dealer to a nightclub, corners him in a bathroom, and kills him. Jason then partners with Stevens in his new business: distribution of a synthetic chemical variant of cocaine.
Stevens develops a romance with Betty McCutcheon, the manager of an art dealership which is a front to [[Money laundering|launder]] Jason's drug money. When one of Stevens' dealers is murdered by a rival dealer, he is informed by Jason that if he doesn't retaliate, other street dealers will view it as a sign of weakness and in turn murder him. Stevens follows the rival dealer to a nightclub, corners him in a bathroom and kills him. Jason then partners with Stevens in his new business: distribution of a synthetic chemical variant of cocaine.


It is revealed that Barbossa is a [[confidential informant]] working with Detective Hernández. After a falling out, in which Stevens correctly deduces that Barbossa wants Jason killed due to his business venture which would threaten Barbossa's, Felix immediately gives up Stevens, Jason, and Betty to Hernandez, and wants Jason killed during the arrest. Carver knows about this, but refuses to interfere, forcing Stevens to violate orders and stop it himself by exposing Felix, which results in a vengeful Jason killing him, while Betty reneges on the drug business because of it with Stevens' protection.
It is revealed that Barbosa is a [[confidential informant]] working with Hernández. After a falling out, Jason becomes more sadistic, and Stevens correctly deduces that Barbosa wants Jason killed to eliminate his competition. Felix immediately gives up Stevens, Jason and Betty to Hernández, and wants Jason killed during the arrest. Carver knows about this but refuses to interfere, forcing Stevens to violate orders and stop the murder himself by exposing Felix, which results in a vengeful Jason killing him. The killing results in Betty reneging on the drug business, with Stevens' protection.


Gallegos comes to meet with Jason and Stevens and informs them that they have inherited Felix's debts to him. Later that day, Stevens meets with Carver to tell him about his meeting with Gallegos. Instead, Carver pulls a gun on Stevens and orders him to surrender his weapon and get in his car. Angrily, Stevens disarms Carver and forces him to admit that the [[State Department]] has decided to leave Gallegos alone because Guzmán may some day be useful as a political asset to them and Carver has decided to play along in exchange for career advancement. Stevens' disillusionment reaches its conclusion, and he abandons his undercover status, vowing to take down Gallegos and Guzmán alone.
Gallegos comes to meet with Stevens and Jason, informing them that they have inherited Felix's debts to him. Later that day, Stevens meets with Carver to tell him about his meeting with Gallegos. Instead, Carver pulls a gun on Stevens and orders him to surrender his weapon and get in his car. Angrily, Stevens disarms Carver and forces him to admit that the [[State Department]] has decided to leave Gallegos alone because Guzmán may someday be useful as a political asset to them; Carver has decided to play along in exchange for career advancement. Disillusioned, Stevens abandons his undercover status and vows to take down Gallegos and Guzmán alone.


Stevens and Jason learn that Gallegos is going to kill them anyway, so they kill him first and steal a van storing over $100 million of Gallegos' cash. Jason and Stevens invite Guzmán to a shipyard and offer to return 80% of Gallegos' money if he agrees to invest the remaining 20% in their synthetic cocaine operation. Detective Taft, who has been tailing Stevens, interrupts the deal but is unable to arrest Guzmán because of his [[diplomatic immunity]]. Guzmán leaves. Taft orders Stevens to surrender, but is shot and killed by Jason. Stevens reveals himself as a police officer and attempts to arrest Jason, but is forced to kill him in self-defense.
Stevens and Jason learn that Gallegos is going to kill them anyway, so they kill him first and steal a van storing over $100 million in cash. They then invite Guzmán to a shipyard and offer to return 80% of Gallegos' money if he agrees to invest the remaining 20% in their synthetic cocaine operation. Taft, who has been tailing Stevens, interrupts the deal and has his gun taken by Guzmán’s men. Since he is unable to arrest Guzmán because of his [[diplomatic immunity]], Guzmán leaves.


Taft orders Stevens to surrender but is shot by Jason after attempting to brandish his backup weapon, forcing Stevens to reveal himself as a police officer as he tries to radio in for an ambulance to help Taft. Stevens tries to reason with Jason as the latter tries to convince him to just take the money and go rogue. Jason shoots Taft in the chest, killing him. Throwing all reason out of the window and seeing no other alternative, Stevens attempts to arrest Jason. When Jason shoots at him, a tearful Stevens returns fire and kills Jason in [[self-defense]] as the cops arrive.
Afterward, Carver coerces Stevens into testifying in favor of him and the DEA in return for not charging Betty with money laundering. Stevens produces a videotape of the incriminating conversation with Guzmán at the shipyard during his testimony to the [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary Subcommittee]], ruining the State Department's intentions along with Guzmán and Carver's careers. Later, he contemplates what to do with the $11 million of Gallegos' money he secretly kept.

Afterward, Carver coerces Stevens into testifying in favor of him and the DEA in return for not charging Betty with money laundering. He produces a videotape of the incriminating conversation with Guzmán at the shipyard during his testimony to the [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary Subcommittee]], ruining the State Department's intentions along with Guzmán and Carver's careers. Later, he contemplates what to do with the $11 million of Gallegos' money he secretly kept.


==Cast==
==Cast==
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* [[Charles Martin Smith]] as DEA Agent Gerry Carver
* [[Charles Martin Smith]] as DEA Agent Gerry Carver
* [[Victoria Dillard]] as Betty McCutcheon
* [[Victoria Dillard]] as Betty McCutcheon
* [[Gregory Sierra]] as Felix Barbossa
* [[Gregory Sierra]] as Felix Barbosa
* David Weixelbaum as Chino
* David Weixelbaum as Chino
* [[Glynn Turman]] as Russell Stevens Sr.
* [[Glynn Turman]] as Russell Stevens Sr.
Line 75: Line 80:
* Lionel Matthews as Officer Winston
* Lionel Matthews as Officer Winston
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}

Director Bill Duke makes an uncredited appearance in a photograph on a cork board displaying Gallegos' chain of command.


==Reception==
==Reception==
''Deep Cover'' was released on April 17, 1992 in 901 theaters, and grossed $3.4 million on its opening weekend.<ref>{{cite news |title=No Easter Basket for Box Office: Movies: 'Basic Instinct' winds up in first place over the holiday weekend, but business so far this year is down about 9%. |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1992-04-20/entertainment/ca-349_1_basic-instinct |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=2012-06-09}}</ref> It went on to make $16.6 million in North America.<ref name="boxoffice">{{cite news |title=''Deep Cover'' |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=deepcover.htm |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=March 18, 2009}}</ref>
''Deep Cover'' was released on April 17, 1992 in 901 theaters, and grossed $3.4 million on its opening weekend.<ref>{{cite news |title=No Easter Basket for Box Office: Movies: 'Basic Instinct' winds up in first place over the holiday weekend, but business so far this year is down about 9%. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-04-20-ca-349-story.html |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=2012-06-09}}</ref> It went on to make $16.6 million in North America.<ref name="boxoffice">{{cite news |title=''Deep Cover'' |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=deepcover.htm |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=March 18, 2009}}</ref>


The majority of critics responded favorably towards ''Deep Cover''. Film critic [[Roger Ebert]] gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four and praised the voice-over narration as "poetic and colorful. That's part of the process elevating the story from the mundane to the mythic".<ref name="ebert">{{cite news |last=Ebert |first=Roger |title=''Deep Cover'' |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19920415/REVIEWS/204150301/1023 |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=April 15, 1992 |access-date=March 18, 2009}}</ref> [[Janet Maslin]], in her review for ''[[The New York Times]]'', praised the "quietly commanding Larry Fishburne and the wry Jeff Goldblum, who make an interestingly offbeat team".<ref name="maslin">{{cite news |last=Maslin |first=Janet |title=Police Thriller With Layers of Issues |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E0CE0DC103DF936A25757C0A964958260&partner=Rotten%20Tomatoes |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 15, 1992 |access-date=March 18, 2009}}</ref> In his review for ''[[The Chicago Reader]]'', [[Jonathan Rosenbaum]] wrote, "What emerges is a powerhouse thriller full of surprises, original touches, and rare political lucidity".<ref name="rosenbaum">{{cite news |last=Rosenbaum | first=Jonathan |title=Government Lies |url=http://www.jonathanrosenbaum.net/?p=7184 |work=[[The Chicago Reader]] |date=August 28, 1992 |access-date=May 14, 2009}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine's [[Peter Travers]] wrote, "Duke (''[[A Rage in Harlem]]'') makes the perks of the drug lifestyle palpably seductive. But this time there's something new in the snortscrew-slay formula: a working conscience".<ref name="travers">{{cite magazine |last=Travers |first=Peter |title=''Deep Cover'' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/5947375/review/5947376/deep_cover |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081130001221/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/5947375/review/5947376/deep_cover |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 30, 2008 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=December 8, 2000 |access-date=March 18, 2009}}</ref>
The majority of critics responded favorably towards ''Deep Cover''. Film critic [[Roger Ebert]] gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four and praised the voice-over narration as "poetic and colorful. That's part of the process elevating the story from the mundane to the mythic".<ref name="ebert">{{cite news |last=Ebert |first=Roger |title=''Deep Cover'' |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19920415/REVIEWS/204150301/1023 |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=April 15, 1992 |access-date=March 18, 2009}}</ref> [[Janet Maslin]], in her review for ''[[The New York Times]]'', praised the "quietly commanding Larry Fishburne and the wry Jeff Goldblum, who make an interestingly offbeat team".<ref name="maslin">{{cite news |last=Maslin |first=Janet |title=Police Thriller With Layers of Issues |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E0CE0DC103DF936A25757C0A964958260&partner=Rotten%20Tomatoes |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 15, 1992 |access-date=March 18, 2009}}</ref> In his review for ''[[The Chicago Reader]]'', [[Jonathan Rosenbaum]] wrote, "What emerges is a powerhouse thriller full of surprises, original touches, and rare political lucidity".<ref name="rosenbaum">{{cite news |last=Rosenbaum | first=Jonathan |title=Government Lies |url=http://www.jonathanrosenbaum.net/?p=7184 |work=[[The Chicago Reader]] |date=August 28, 1992 |access-date=May 14, 2009}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine's [[Peter Travers]] wrote, "Duke (''[[A Rage in Harlem]]'') makes the perks of the drug lifestyle palpably seductive. But this time there's something new in the snortscrew-slay formula: a working conscience".<ref name="travers">{{cite magazine |last=Travers |first=Peter |title=''Deep Cover'' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/5947375/review/5947376/deep_cover |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081130001221/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/5947375/review/5947376/deep_cover |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 30, 2008 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=December 8, 2000 |access-date=March 18, 2009}}</ref>


''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the film a "B−" rating and [[Owen Gleiberman]] wrote, "The movie peels away every layer of hope, revealing a red-hot core of nihilistic despair. Fishburne, with his hair-trigger line readings and deadly reptilian gaze, conveys the controlled desperation of someone watching his own faith unravel. And Goldblum reveals a new dimension of comic rottishness".<ref name="Gleiberman">{{cite magazine |last=Gleiberman |first=Owen |title=''Deep Cover'' |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,310264,00.html |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=April 24, 1992 |access-date=May 14, 2009}}</ref> In her review for ''[[The Independent]]'', Sheila Johnston wrote: "The disappointment of ''[[Night and the City (1992 film)|Night and the City]]'' has left some critics lamenting that [[film noir]] is dead in the water, but ''Deep Cover'' displays many hallmarks of the genre, down to the diffuse paranoia (perhaps the entire operation is a high-level Washington cover-up). It was the most unexpected pleasure to arrive here in many a month".<ref name="Johnston">{{cite news |last=Johnston |first=Sheila |title=Rackets, stings, cons and scams |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film--rackets-stings-cons-and-scams-deep-cover-18bill-duke-us-midnight-sting-15michael-ritchie-us-schtonk-15helmut-dietl-ger-sweet-emma-dear-bobe-18istvan-szabo-hung-1480031.html |work=[[The Independent]] |date=January 22, 1993 |access-date=May 14, 2009}}</ref> In its 2021 retrospective, ''[[The A.V. Club]]''{{'}}s Ignatiy Vishnevetsky wrote "As a depiction of crime, law enforcement, and drug dealing, the film is a cartoon; as an exploration of the Man's ulterior motives, it's trenchant and angry. Stylistic and attitudinal cues come by way of [[Miami Vice]], anti-heroic [[Blaxploitation]], and the politicized, independent-minded [[B-film]]s of [[Samuel Fuller]]."<ref>[https://film.avclub.com/deep-cover-is-a-smart-over-the-top-90s-classic-1846172793 Deep Cover is a smart, over-the-top ’90s classic|AV Club]</ref>
''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the film a "B−" rating and [[Owen Gleiberman]] wrote, "The movie peels away every layer of hope, revealing a red-hot core of nihilistic despair. Fishburne, with his hair-trigger line readings and deadly reptilian gaze, conveys the controlled desperation of someone watching his own faith unravel. And Goldblum reveals a new dimension of comic rottishness".<ref name="Gleiberman">{{cite magazine |last=Gleiberman |first=Owen |title=''Deep Cover'' |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,310264,00.html |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=April 24, 1992 |access-date=May 14, 2009 |archive-date=April 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421052700/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,310264,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In her review for ''[[The Independent]]'', Sheila Johnston wrote: "The disappointment of ''[[Night and the City (1992 film)|Night and the City]]'' has left some critics lamenting that [[film noir]] is dead in the water, but ''Deep Cover'' displays many hallmarks of the genre, down to the diffuse paranoia (perhaps the entire operation is a high-level Washington cover-up). It was the most unexpected pleasure to arrive here in many a month".<ref name="Johnston">{{cite news |last=Johnston |first=Sheila |title=Rackets, stings, cons and scams |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film--rackets-stings-cons-and-scams-deep-cover-18bill-duke-us-midnight-sting-15michael-ritchie-us-schtonk-15helmut-dietl-ger-sweet-emma-dear-bobe-18istvan-szabo-hung-1480031.html |work=[[The Independent]] |date=January 22, 1993 |access-date=May 14, 2009}}</ref> In its 2021 retrospective, ''[[The A.V. Club]]''{{'}}s Ignatiy Vishnevetsky wrote "As a depiction of crime, law enforcement, and drug dealing, the film is a cartoon; as an exploration of the Man's ulterior motives, it's trenchant and angry. Stylistic and attitudinal cues come by way of [[Miami Vice]], anti-heroic [[Blaxploitation]], and the politicized, independent-minded [[B-film]]s of [[Samuel Fuller]]."<ref>[https://www.avclub.com/deep-cover-is-a-smart-over-the-top-90s-classic-1846172793 Deep Cover is a smart, over-the-top ’90s classic|AV Club]</ref>


However, not all critics liked the movie. In his review for ''[[The Washington Post]]'', Desson Howe wrote, "With ''[[Boyz n the Hood]]'', Fishburne broke through to the big time. Here, his acting career takes a step backwards". Despite this, of Jeff Goldblum he stated that "Oddly enough, Goldblum's so wildly out of place in this misbegotten movie, he becomes its greatest asset".<ref name="howe">{{cite news |last=Howe |first=Desson |title=''Deep Cover'' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/deepcoverrhowe_a0aebe.htm |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=April 17, 1992 |access-date=2009-03-18}}</ref>
However, not all critics liked the movie. In his review for ''[[The Washington Post]]'', Desson Howe wrote, "With ''[[Boyz n the Hood]]'', Fishburne broke through to the big time. Here, his acting career takes a step backwards". Despite this, of Jeff Goldblum he stated that "Oddly enough, Goldblum's so wildly out of place in this misbegotten movie, he becomes its greatest asset".<ref name="howe">{{cite news |last=Howe |first=Desson |title=''Deep Cover'' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/deepcoverrhowe_a0aebe.htm |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=April 17, 1992 |access-date=2009-03-18}}</ref> Richard Harrington, also of ''The Washington Post'', gave a mixed review, saying: "While Fishburne is generally riveting -- his facial disguise is basically hardness layered onto strength -- and Goldblum is intriguing -- his wannabe urges are quite curious -- the film itself is only occasionally visceral. On the one hand, it's refreshing and commendable that a major film casts a black actor not only as a detective (rather than as a criminal), but in the lead role."<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/deepcoverrharrington_a0ab28.htm ‘Deep Cover’, By Richard Harrington]</ref>


On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film holds a rating of 87% from 30 reviews with the consensus: "''Deep Cover'' rises above standard-issue crime thriller fare thanks to a smartly cynical script and powerhouse performances from its unorthodox but well-matched leads."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1039270-deep_cover|title=Deep Cover|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] }}</ref>
On [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film holds an approval rating of 87% from 31 reviews, with an average rating of 6.9/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "''Deep Cover'' rises above standard-issue crime thriller fare thanks to a smartly cynical script and powerhouse performances from its unorthodox but well-matched leads."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Deep Cover |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1039270-deep_cover |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Fandango Media]]}}</ref> [[Metacritic]], which assigns a weighted average to critics' reviews, gave the film an average score of 67 out of 100 based on 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Deep Cover Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/deep-cover |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[Fandom, Inc.]]}}</ref>


==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
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==Home media==
==Home media==
For its home media debut, Deep Cover was released on [[DVD]] September 14, 1999 on a barebones snapper case with [[Dolby Digital]] 5.1 and 2.0 tracks for audio.
The film was released on Blu-Ray for the first time by the [[Criterion Collection]] on July 13, 2021.<ref>[https://www.criterion.com/films/31499-deep-cover The Criterion Collection]</ref>
The film was then released on [[Blu-ray Disc]] for the first time by the [[Criterion Collection]] on July 13, 2021, featuring a new 4K digitally restored transfer and lossless DTS HD MA 2.0 audio.<ref>[https://www.criterion.com/films/31499-deep-cover The Criterion Collection]</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0104073}}
* {{IMDb title|0104073}}
* {{Amg movie|13040}}
* {{Rotten-tomatoes|1039270-deep_cover}}
* {{Rotten-tomatoes|1039270-deep_cover}}
* {{mojo title|deepcover}}
* {{mojo title|deepcover}}
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[[Category:1992 films]]
[[Category:1992 films]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:1992 action thriller films]]
[[Category:1992 crime drama films]]
[[Category:1992 crime thriller films]]
[[Category:American crime drama films]]
[[Category:1990s mystery thriller films]]
[[Category:American action thriller films]]
[[Category:American crime thriller films]]
[[Category:American crime thriller films]]
[[Category:American gang films]]
[[Category:American gang films]]
[[Category:American mystery thriller films]]
[[Category:American neo-noir films]]
[[Category:American neo-noir films]]
[[Category:Films about the Drug Enforcement Administration]]
[[Category:Films about the Drug Enforcement Administration]]
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[[Category:Films set in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Films set in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Michael Tolkin]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Michael Tolkin]]
[[Category:Hood films]]
[[Category:1990s hood films]]
[[Category:New Line Cinema films]]
[[Category:New Line Cinema films]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1970s]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1990s]]
[[Category:African-American films]]
[[Category:African-American films]]
[[Category:1990s American films]]
[[Category:1990s American films]]
[[Category:English-language crime drama films]]
[[Category:English-language crime thriller films]]

Latest revision as of 20:12, 21 December 2024

Deep Cover
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBill Duke
Screenplay by
Story byMichael Tolkin
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyBojan Bazelli
Edited byJohn Carter
Music byMichel Colombier
Production
company
Distributed byNew Line Cinema
Release date
  • April 15, 1992 (1992-04-15)
Running time
108 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$8 million[1]
Box office$16.6 million

Deep Cover is a 1992 American crime thriller film directed by Bill Duke from a screenplay by Henry Bean and Michael Tolkin. The film stars Laurence Fishburne, Jeff Goldblum, and Charles Martin Smith. Its plot focuses on a Cincinnati-based police officer who goes undercover in a Los Angeles sting operation to bring down a West Coast drug cartel.

Deep Cover was released in the United States on April 15, 1992, by New Line Cinema. The film received positive reviews, being likened by some critics to a modern film noir. It is also notable for its theme song of the same title, composed by Dr. Dre and released as his debut solo single, which also features then-newcomer Snoop Doggy Dogg making his studio debut.

Plot

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In 1972, Russell Stevens Jr. witnesses his drug-addicted, alcoholic father getting shot and killed while robbing a liquor store. Traumatized by his father's death, Stevens swears that he will never end up like him.

Nineteen years later, Stevens is a Cincinnati police officer. He is recruited by DEA Special Agent Gerald Carver to go undercover in Los Angeles, claiming that his criminal-like character traits will serve him better in this capacity than they would as a uniformed cop. Stevens poses as drug dealer "John Hull" in order to infiltrate and work his way up the network of the West Coast's largest drug importer, Anton Gallegos, and his uncle Hector Guzmán, a South American politician. Stevens relocates to a cheap hotel and begins dealing cocaine.

One day, Stevens is arrested by the devoutly religious LAPD Narcotics Detective Taft and his corrupt partner, Hernández, as he buys a kilogram in a set-up by Eddie Dudley, Gallegos' low-level street supplier. At his arraignment, Stevens discovers that he bought baby laxative instead of cocaine and his case is dismissed. His self-appointed attorney David Jason, who is also a drug trafficker in Gallegos' network, rewards Stevens' silence with more cocaine and introduces him to Felix Barbosa, the underboss to Gallegos. Felix kills Eddie when he finds out he's working with the LAPD and enlists Stevens as his replacement.

Stevens develops a romance with Betty McCutcheon, the manager of an art dealership which is a front to launder Jason's drug money. When one of Stevens' dealers is murdered by a rival dealer, he is informed by Jason that if he doesn't retaliate, other street dealers will view it as a sign of weakness and in turn murder him. Stevens follows the rival dealer to a nightclub, corners him in a bathroom and kills him. Jason then partners with Stevens in his new business: distribution of a synthetic chemical variant of cocaine.

It is revealed that Barbosa is a confidential informant working with Hernández. After a falling out, Jason becomes more sadistic, and Stevens correctly deduces that Barbosa wants Jason killed to eliminate his competition. Felix immediately gives up Stevens, Jason and Betty to Hernández, and wants Jason killed during the arrest. Carver knows about this but refuses to interfere, forcing Stevens to violate orders and stop the murder himself by exposing Felix, which results in a vengeful Jason killing him. The killing results in Betty reneging on the drug business, with Stevens' protection.

Gallegos comes to meet with Stevens and Jason, informing them that they have inherited Felix's debts to him. Later that day, Stevens meets with Carver to tell him about his meeting with Gallegos. Instead, Carver pulls a gun on Stevens and orders him to surrender his weapon and get in his car. Angrily, Stevens disarms Carver and forces him to admit that the State Department has decided to leave Gallegos alone because Guzmán may someday be useful as a political asset to them; Carver has decided to play along in exchange for career advancement. Disillusioned, Stevens abandons his undercover status and vows to take down Gallegos and Guzmán alone.

Stevens and Jason learn that Gallegos is going to kill them anyway, so they kill him first and steal a van storing over $100 million in cash. They then invite Guzmán to a shipyard and offer to return 80% of Gallegos' money if he agrees to invest the remaining 20% in their synthetic cocaine operation. Taft, who has been tailing Stevens, interrupts the deal and has his gun taken by Guzmán’s men. Since he is unable to arrest Guzmán because of his diplomatic immunity, Guzmán leaves.

Taft orders Stevens to surrender but is shot by Jason after attempting to brandish his backup weapon, forcing Stevens to reveal himself as a police officer as he tries to radio in for an ambulance to help Taft. Stevens tries to reason with Jason as the latter tries to convince him to just take the money and go rogue. Jason shoots Taft in the chest, killing him. Throwing all reason out of the window and seeing no other alternative, Stevens attempts to arrest Jason. When Jason shoots at him, a tearful Stevens returns fire and kills Jason in self-defense as the cops arrive.

Afterward, Carver coerces Stevens into testifying in favor of him and the DEA in return for not charging Betty with money laundering. He produces a videotape of the incriminating conversation with Guzmán at the shipyard during his testimony to the House Judiciary Subcommittee, ruining the State Department's intentions along with Guzmán and Carver's careers. Later, he contemplates what to do with the $11 million of Gallegos' money he secretly kept.

Cast

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Director Bill Duke makes an uncredited appearance in a photograph on a cork board displaying Gallegos' chain of command.

Reception

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Deep Cover was released on April 17, 1992 in 901 theaters, and grossed $3.4 million on its opening weekend.[3] It went on to make $16.6 million in North America.[4]

The majority of critics responded favorably towards Deep Cover. Film critic Roger Ebert gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four and praised the voice-over narration as "poetic and colorful. That's part of the process elevating the story from the mundane to the mythic".[5] Janet Maslin, in her review for The New York Times, praised the "quietly commanding Larry Fishburne and the wry Jeff Goldblum, who make an interestingly offbeat team".[6] In his review for The Chicago Reader, Jonathan Rosenbaum wrote, "What emerges is a powerhouse thriller full of surprises, original touches, and rare political lucidity".[7] Rolling Stone magazine's Peter Travers wrote, "Duke (A Rage in Harlem) makes the perks of the drug lifestyle palpably seductive. But this time there's something new in the snortscrew-slay formula: a working conscience".[8]

Entertainment Weekly gave the film a "B−" rating and Owen Gleiberman wrote, "The movie peels away every layer of hope, revealing a red-hot core of nihilistic despair. Fishburne, with his hair-trigger line readings and deadly reptilian gaze, conveys the controlled desperation of someone watching his own faith unravel. And Goldblum reveals a new dimension of comic rottishness".[9] In her review for The Independent, Sheila Johnston wrote: "The disappointment of Night and the City has left some critics lamenting that film noir is dead in the water, but Deep Cover displays many hallmarks of the genre, down to the diffuse paranoia (perhaps the entire operation is a high-level Washington cover-up). It was the most unexpected pleasure to arrive here in many a month".[10] In its 2021 retrospective, The A.V. Club's Ignatiy Vishnevetsky wrote "As a depiction of crime, law enforcement, and drug dealing, the film is a cartoon; as an exploration of the Man's ulterior motives, it's trenchant and angry. Stylistic and attitudinal cues come by way of Miami Vice, anti-heroic Blaxploitation, and the politicized, independent-minded B-films of Samuel Fuller."[11]

However, not all critics liked the movie. In his review for The Washington Post, Desson Howe wrote, "With Boyz n the Hood, Fishburne broke through to the big time. Here, his acting career takes a step backwards". Despite this, of Jeff Goldblum he stated that "Oddly enough, Goldblum's so wildly out of place in this misbegotten movie, he becomes its greatest asset".[12] Richard Harrington, also of The Washington Post, gave a mixed review, saying: "While Fishburne is generally riveting -- his facial disguise is basically hardness layered onto strength -- and Goldblum is intriguing -- his wannabe urges are quite curious -- the film itself is only occasionally visceral. On the one hand, it's refreshing and commendable that a major film casts a black actor not only as a detective (rather than as a criminal), but in the lead role."[13]

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 87% from 31 reviews, with an average rating of 6.9/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Deep Cover rises above standard-issue crime thriller fare thanks to a smartly cynical script and powerhouse performances from its unorthodox but well-matched leads."[14] Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average to critics' reviews, gave the film an average score of 67 out of 100 based on 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[15]

Soundtrack

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The film's soundtrack, Deep Cover, was released by SOLAR Records and Epic Records on April 4, 1992. It was recorded by Dr. Dre and newcomer Snoop Doggy Dogg in 1991 and 1992. Containing a mix of hip hop, reggae and R&B tracks, it peaked at No. 166 on the Billboard 200 and No. 9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[16]

Home media

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For its home media debut, Deep Cover was released on DVD September 14, 1999 on a barebones snapper case with Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 tracks for audio. The film was then released on Blu-ray Disc for the first time by the Criterion Collection on July 13, 2021, featuring a new 4K digitally restored transfer and lossless DTS HD MA 2.0 audio.[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "AFI|Catalog".
  2. ^ Deep Cover is the last film in which Fishburne was credited as "Larry". See "Once Larry, Now Laurence" by David Denicolo, The New York Times, August 8, 1993
  3. ^ "No Easter Basket for Box Office: Movies: 'Basic Instinct' winds up in first place over the holiday weekend, but business so far this year is down about 9%". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-06-09.
  4. ^ "Deep Cover". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
  5. ^ Ebert, Roger (April 15, 1992). "Deep Cover". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
  6. ^ Maslin, Janet (April 15, 1992). "Police Thriller With Layers of Issues". The New York Times. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
  7. ^ Rosenbaum, Jonathan (August 28, 1992). "Government Lies". The Chicago Reader. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  8. ^ Travers, Peter (December 8, 2000). "Deep Cover". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 30, 2008. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
  9. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (April 24, 1992). "Deep Cover". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  10. ^ Johnston, Sheila (January 22, 1993). "Rackets, stings, cons and scams". The Independent. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  11. ^ Deep Cover is a smart, over-the-top ’90s classic|AV Club
  12. ^ Howe, Desson (April 17, 1992). "Deep Cover". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-03-18.
  13. ^ ‘Deep Cover’, By Richard Harrington
  14. ^ "Deep Cover". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  15. ^ "Deep Cover Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  16. ^ AllMusic
  17. ^ The Criterion Collection
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