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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. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

David Jason (Jeff Goldblum) is the biggest drug dealer in Los Angeles, and Russell Stevens (Larry Fishburne) is an undercover cop who wants to bring him down. Posing as a dealer, Stevens begins to earn the trust of the L.A. drug underworld, eventually making his way to Jason himself. But along the way he has to take his cover to depths he never thought he would have to see, including selling drugs and going to great lengths to eliminate potential competitors for Jason's drug cartel.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    crime, drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Bill Duke
  • Producer:
    Pierre David, Henry Bean
  • Writer:
    Michael Tolkin, Henry Bean
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $16.6M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Image Organization
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround

Cast & Crew

Larry Fishburne
Russell Stevens Jr., John Hull
Jeff Goldblum
David Jason
Victoria Dillard
Betty
Charles Martin Smith
Carver
Gregory Sierra
Barbosa
Clarence Williams III
Taft
Rene Assa
Guzman
Alex Colon
Molto
Roger Guenveur Smith
Eddie
Sydney Lassick
Gopher
Bill Duke
Director
Pierre David
Producer
Henry Bean
Producer
David Streit
Executive Producer
Michael Tolkin
Screenwriter
Henry Bean
Screenwriter
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News & Interviews for Deep Cover

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Critic Reviews for Deep Cover

All Critics (23) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (19) | Rotten (4)

  • 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.

    October 31, 2007 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

    Marjorie Baumgarten

    Austin Chronicle

  • 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.

    October 31, 2007 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety

  • What emerges is a powerhouse thriller full of surprises, original touches, and rare political lucidity, including an impressive performance by Jeff Goldblum.

    October 31, 2007 | Full Review…

    Jonathan Rosenbaum

    Chicago Reader

  • 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.

    January 26, 2006 | Full Review…

    Stephen Garrett

    Time Out

  • Deep Cover eventually degenerates into so much gratuitous violence that 'kill' sounds like the most-used verb in the screenplay's last stages.

    May 20, 2003 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Janet Maslin

    New York Times

  • Rather than ride the easy cynicism of the script, by Michael Tolkin and Henry Bean, Fishburne illuminates his character's moral struggle.

    June 6, 2001

    Peter Travers

    Rolling Stone
View All Critic Reviews (23)

Audience Reviews for Deep Cover

  • Mar 07, 2010
    the slow-mo freebase intro is too nice. jeff goldblum was ludicrous as a badguy lawyer.
    steve c Super Reviewer
  • Oct 18, 2008
    One of my all time favorites, if you like jeff goldblum this is the movie to see, a very intense performance, i always credit this as being his best to date, a must see.
    Lee K Super Reviewer
  • Jun 23, 2008
    A bit garbagy. Not one that Laurence Fishburne or Jeff Goldblum should remember well.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • May 30, 2008
    Another Bomb ass movie from Fishbourne
    khalvic b Super Reviewer
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