Deep Cover (1992)

A black uniformed policeman is recruited by a devious drug enforcement agent to infiltrate a smuggling organization seeking to expand into designer drugs. This 'ugly side of the war on ... See full summary »

Director:

Bill Duke

Writers:

Michael Tolkin (story), Michael Tolkin (screenplay),

Stars:

Lira Angel, René Assa, Laurence Fishburne

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lira Angel	...	Bijoux
René Assa	...	Guzman
Bruce Paul Barbour	...	Policeman (as Bruce Barbour)
Bilal Bashir	...	Rapper's Musician
Anna Berger	...	Congresswoman
Donald Bishop	...	Judge
Ed Cambridge	...	Crackhead #2
Jaime Cardriche	...	Shark
Alisa Christensen	...	Ivy's Driver
Alex Colon	...	Molto (as Alex Colón)
Cory Curtis	...	Young Russell Stevens Jr.
Victoria Dillard	...	Betty
James Encinas	...	Guzman's Guard
Joseph Ferro	...	James
Laurence Fishburne	...	Russell Stevens Jr. / John Hull (as Larry Fishburne)

Storyline

A black uniformed policeman is recruited by a devious drug enforcement agent to infiltrate a smuggling organization seeking to expand into designer drugs. This 'ugly side of the war on drugs' explores the context of race, identity and hypocrisy within a brutal and alienating investigation.

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Plot Keywords:

drugs | undercover | ethnic slur | gay slur | police | 

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Taglines:

Dealer. Snitch. Junkie. Hustler.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, language, drug use and sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 April 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jenseits der weißen Linie

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$16,639,799 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Image Organization, New Line Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The nameplates of two of the Representatives at the subcommittee hearing at the end read "Bojan Bazelli" and "Pamela Warner" - references to director of photography Bojan Bazelli and production designer Pamela B. Warner.

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Goofs

When Felix Barbosa is slapping Eddie around in the pool hall at one point Eddie pulls all the food and glasses off the table. The food and drink reappear for one shot before disappearing for good.

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Quotes

Hector Guzman: Why, I keep my money in a bank.
Guzman's Guard: El Banco.

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Connections

References Scarface (1983)

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Soundtracks

"Deep Cover"
Performed by Dr. Dre
Introducing Snoop Dogg (as Snoop Doggy Dogg)
by Dr. Dre, Colin Wolfe
Courtesy of Death Row Records

User Reviews

A lot better than I was expecting, very good.

Going into seeing this movie, I wasn't sure about what I was going to see. I was expecting something kind of good (because of Roger Ebert's review), but not great (because of some other reviews). But I was not expecting such a good film. Laurence Fishburne (Boyz in the Hood, What's Love Got To Do With It) stars as a cop who has avoided drugs and the crime life because of his father's involvement and death in it. Soon he is offered a job going undercover as a drug dealer. He accepts it. After a little while he gets himself deep into it. He forms partnerships with high ranked drug dealers, which includes Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park, Nine Monthes). Soon he becomes less of an undercover cop, but more of a drug dealer. He soon realizes that he is betraying his cause and joining up with them. This presents a problem for him, because he likes the power as a drug dealer and the money, but he also vowed he would never become like his dad. This is a very well done movie, with a great script. Laurence Fishburne is excellent in the lead role. Jeff Goldblum (who I have never seen in such a deep role) is also strong delivering a surprisingly good performance. A good, but violent film.