Deep Cover (1992)
Average Rating: 6.6/10
Reviews Counted: 20
Fresh: 17 | Rotten: 3
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 6/10
Critic Reviews: 9
Fresh: 7 | Rotten: 2
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 8,135
My Rating
Movie Info
Laurence Fishburne plays no-nonsense LAPD narc Russell Stevens, Jr., who has worked all his life to expunge the memory of his dope-addict father, whom he saw die in a liquor-store robbery. DEA agent Jerry Carver (Charles Martin Smith) orders Stevens to work as an undercover operative on a major case. The cop is to pose as a dealer in order to get the goods on South American drug lord. Stevens is so convincing as a dealer, that he fast works his way up through the ranks and gains the trust of
Apr 15, 1992 Wide
Sep 14, 1999
WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES
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Cast
-
Laurence Fishburne
Russell Stevens Jr./Joh... -
Jeff Goldblum
David Jason -
Victoria Dillard
Betty McCutcheon -
Charles Martin Smith
Jerry Carver -
Gregory Sierra
Felix Barbosa -
Clarence Williams III
Ken Taft -
René Assa
Hector Guzman -
Alex Colon
Molto -
Roger Guenveur Smith
Eddie -
Sidney Lassick
Gopher -
Kamala Lopez
Belinda -
Julio Oscar Mechoso
Hernandez -
Glynn E. Turman
Russell Stevens Sr. -
James T. Morris
Ivy -
Arthur Mendozo
Gallegos -
Sandra Gould
Mrs. O. -
Bruce Barbour
Policeman -
Anna Berger
Congresswoman -
Ed Cambridge
Crackhead #2 -
Jaime Cardriche
Shark -
Alisa Christensen
Ivy's Driver -
Cory Curtis
Young Russell Stevens J... -
Def Jef
Bartender -
Yvette Heyden
Nancy -
Ric Mancini
Congressman -
Lionel Matthews
Officer Winston -
Clifton Powell
Leland -
John Shepherd
Undercover Cop -
J.W. Smith
Video Dealer -
Ron Thompson
Guard -
Tyrin Turner
Dealer -
Mike Radner
Coroner -
Donald Bishop
Judge -
Erik Kilpatrick
Dealer -
Nick LaTour
Republican Congressman -
Harry Frazier
Lunatic Santa -
Tony Perez
Guzman's Lawyer
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All Critics (20) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (17) | Rotten (3)
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.
Top CriticWhat 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.
What sets Deep Cover apart is its sense of good and evil, the way it has the Fishburne character agonize over the moral decisions he has to make.
Cynical police thriller that veers between a standard issue genre action pic and something more meaningful and original.
Smart and stylish, it also has scenes of crackling violence and dramaturgy that oftentimes strains to work but, on the whole, Deep Cover is engaging, thoughtful and inventive.
It's an unsettling yet compelling blend, and probably one you don't want to think about too much.
Laurence Fishburne haunts this movie with his deep set fiercely intense glaring eyes.
Cool, and deeply underrated.
Deep Cover was probably conceived as a quickie crime film, but thanks to Fishburne's and Goldblum's performances, it became much more.
Too much grit, not enough Plot.
A tough, violent crime drama that pulls no punches.
A truly entertaining little crime thriller. Fishburne and Goldblum are great together.
Audience Reviews for Deep Cover
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