By: MJ Asuncion
Who better to work undercover sting operations than improv performers, known to be able to think quick on their feet? Sounds like a far-fetched improbable idea? Not for the latest film Deep Cover, an action comedy with a very interesting premise, filled with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat with anticipated hilarity. Although you know the plot and all the major players relatively quickly, and can guess exactly which direction the story will go, it doesn’t take away from the pure entertainment and laughs the film brings.
Set in London, Kat (Bryce Dallas Howard) is an improv teacher who is questioning if she missed her chance at a promising career when two of her star students are immediately signed at one of her shows. Down on her luck, she is approached by undercover cop Billings (Sean Bean) to help uncover counterfeit cigarette sales by posing as criminals ready to buy the goods. The catch is that every operation is done by a group of three, so Kat must enlist two other students. She convinces the extremely dedicated yet mostly unsuccessful actor Marlon (Orlando Bloom) and the unwilling socially awkward Hugh (Nick Mohammed) to join her. The three quickly get into character but not long into the sting Marlon goes too far into his method acting and soon they are in way over their heads. Shuttled off to go meet criminal leader Fly (Paddy Considine), they find themselves in a very real and very dangerous situation of drugs and an escalating gang war. After posing as hardened criminals, they somehow talk their way out alive and simultaneously impress Fly. Billings jumps on the opportunity and persuades our unlikely trio to continue with the ruse so that they can fully uncover Fly’s operations. From here, they just get deeper into the underground criminal world, and the line between acting and reality is often blurred.
Deep Cover wouldn’t be the same without its brilliant leading actors Bryce Dallas Howard as Kat, Orlando Bloom as Marlon and Nick Mohammed as Hugh. The three main stars of the film really shine individually and as a collective, bringing out the best in each other’s performances. Howard does well in representing the composure of the level-headed Kat as she plays the mastermind of the operation. Bloom shines as his character takes on some of the most psychotic and craziest backstories. Mohammed’s role of Hugh is a delight to watch as he bumbles his way through trying to stay in character while internally panicking. The three improvisers must switch from their made-up criminal personas to their real selves throughout the film, and all three actors handle these transitions flawlessly.
Deep Cover is directed by Tom Kingsley, a director and editor known for films Black Pond (2011), The Darkest Universe (2016) and Stath Lets Flats (2018). Kingsley wanted Deep Cover to be as funny as possible but also not undermine the credibility of the dangerous situations the characters experience. Along with his background in comedy and the film’s collaborative team, including producer Colin Trevorrow and British improv duo Ben Ashenden and Alexander Owen, Kingsley was able to find the delicate balance of action and comedy. Additionally, he relied on the excellent work of cinematographer Will Hanke and editor Mark Williams and used a more authentic London instead of a staged studio, to be able to ground the film in reality. Trevorrow, who has made some of the biggest films of all time including the Jurassic World trilogy, brought his seasoned expertise and unique insights on techniques for action sequences he has used successfully the past.
Deep Cover is a perfect blend of its unique genre, action heightened by intense situations that are kept light with laugh out loud comedic improv. Though the storyline could be seen as unbelievable, the writing is clever and fun, filled with slapstick quips and witty banter. Deep Cover will have you fully entertained and engaged from start to finish.