Deep Cover: Movie Review

Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed, Sean Bean, Paddy Considine, Ian McShane
Director: Tom Kingsley

Mixing a bit of comedy, a bit of action and a touch of Nick Mohammed mugging, Deep Cover presents a solid mix for a streaming film - even if it never quite erupts into the raucous laughs it promises early on.

A simple premise - two struggling improv wannabes and their tutor are asked by a cop to go undercover to break a counterfeit cigarettes ring. But before they know it, they've blundered into the underworld.

Deep Cover's simplicity is partially its strength, and its frantic nature is also a benefit. It works largely because the inept trio have a strong degree of chemistry. From Dallas Howard's Kat, who's followed by concerned friends who worry that she's throwing her life away as a comedian to Mohammed's patented brand of nebbish out of his depth deadpanning, the group gels in scenes that see their characters way deeper than they need to.

But it's Orlando Bloom's method improviser that proves the source of many laughs. Early on, he's dropped by his agent after being told he's "from the Cotswolds, you're not Al Pacino". Yet he finds plenty of laughs from moments of trying to be the hard guy when he's clueless.

There are moments when the amiable script throws in a few wordy laughs and patented silliness when it counts. It works when it should, and while it's not exactly Shakespeare, it's watchable enough fare for a mid-winter night.

Deep Cover is streaming from June 12 on Prime Video.