Deep Cover (1992)
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85% of critics liked it
(20 reviews) -
70% of users liked it
(8,135 ratings)
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… More 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 lawyer and narcotics dealer David Jason (Jeff Goldblum) and his sinister associates, all lackeys to the kingpin who is the target of Stevens' assignment. Through a series of fantastic but credible circumstances, Stevens eliminates the lower echelon, getting closer to his quarry, but in the process he finds himself so deep into the sinister and seductive world of the drug trade that he may never get out. In a surprise move, and just when he is about to bring the ringleader down, the DEA pulls the plug on his assignment, because the top dealer, an influential Latin American politician, may someday be useful to the State Department. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Bill Duke
- Written By
- Michael Tolkin, Henry Bean
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
R,
- In Theaters
- Apr 15, 1992 Wide
- On DVD
- Sep 14, 1999
- Studio
- WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
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.
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
What emerges is a powerhouse thriller full of surprises, original touches, and rare political lucidity, including an impressive performance by Jeff Goldblum.
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Stephen Garrett, Time Out
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.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
Deep Cover eventually degenerates into so much gratuitous violence that 'kill' sounds like the most-used verb in the screenplay's last stages.
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Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Rather than ride the easy cynicism of the script, by Michael Tolkin and Henry Bean, Fishburne illuminates his character's moral struggle.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Laurence Fishburne
as Russell Stevens Jr./John Hull
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Jeff Goldblum
as David Jason
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Victoria Dillard
as Betty McCutcheon
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Charles Martin Smith
as Jerry Carver
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Gregory Sierra
as Felix Barbosa
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Clarence Williams III
as Ken Taft
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René Assa
as Hector Guzman
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Alex Colon
as Molto
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Roger Guenveur Smith
as Eddie
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Sidney Lassick
as Gopher
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Kamala Lopez
as Belinda
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Julio Oscar Mechoso
as Hernandez
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Glynn E. Turman
as Russell Stevens Sr.
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James T. Morris
as Ivy
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Arthur Mendozo
as Gallegos
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Sandra Gould
as Mrs. O.
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Bruce Barbour
as Policeman
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Anna Berger
as Congresswoman
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Ed Cambridge
as Crackhead #2
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Jaime Cardriche
as Shark
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Alisa Christensen
as Ivy's Driver
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Cory Curtis
as Young Russell Stevens Jr.
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Def Jef
as Bartender
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Yvette Heyden
as Nancy
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Ric Mancini
as Congressman
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Lionel Matthews
as Officer Winston
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Clifton Powell
as Leland
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John Shepherd
as Undercover Cop
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J.W. Smith
as Video Dealer
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Ron Thompson
as Guard
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Tyrin Turner
as Dealer
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Mike Radner
as Coroner
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Donald Bishop
as Judge
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Erik Kilpatrick
as Dealer
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Nick LaTour
as Republican Congressman
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Harry Frazier
as Lunatic Santa
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Tony Perez
as Guzman's Lawyer
