Improvisação Perigosa

What's scarier than being summoned up to the stage for a round of improv comedy? Going undercover in a ring of violent drug dealers? Such is the grimly hilarious reality in Deep Cover, an effective new action comedy that Amazon Prime, in all its infinite wisdom, has decided to randomly release with absolutely zero marketing or buildup, despite it having a pretty prolific cast. Three wayward, disparate struggling London actors (Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed & Bryce Dallas Howard) are recruited at their local improv dive by a shady DCI cop (Sean Bean) as part of a specialty undercover branch that uses improv actors to infiltrate illicit smuggling rings and gain intel. When their harebrained tactics literally land them in the trust and innermost ranks of a mid level heroin distributer (Paddy Considine, stealing scenes as usual) they are kind of forced to tough it out on their mission, which has become way more dangerous than ever anticipated. It's a very silly premise, as is any that crops up in a round of improv comedy itself but the film follows through on it admirably, with the lead trio finding ample bursts of comic inspiration, particularly Bloom who fancies himself a tough guy and gradually finds out that being one is kind of really stressful. Considine makes a super memorable character here as the scrappy thug who just wants out of the life, finding all the best bits of ironic humour in his lines. Also great is the ethereal Sonoya Mizuno as his weirdly angelic, trigger-happy lieutenant and the great Ian McShane positively devouring scenery as the head kingpin of the London underworld, his over pronunciation of an obviously intentionally silly Scottish accent a thing of deranged beauty. I'm not sure why they didn't market this at all, like whatsoever, but it's a fun bough time and all the actors are having a blast.

A British gangster film coming out with little publicity and going straight to streaming - that's normally a deeply unprepossessing prospect.

But this turns out to be a cracking little film. A daft light-hearted heist movie, 3 likeable leads with real chemistry and an entertaining supporting cast ranging from renowned acting heavyweights to young comedic talent, all doing a fine job.

The plot makes little sense - but who cares, it's just the framework for some silly comedy and the film rushes by with such pace and energy that you never have time to stop and think about how the trio got themselves into such ridiculous situations.

It's not a great film, it's certainly not going to win any critical awards, but it's so much better than most people will expect it to be and succeeds admirably at being good entertainment.

Deep Cover is a lot better than expected, especially for a streaming original. The central premise of improv actors going undercover makes sense in a weird way and it's got enough laughs interspersed throughout as well as just being really good at the undercover stuff. It's tense, twisty and always moving forward whilst still finding time for some decent character arcs for the main three to make it an even more worthwhile watch.

Bryce Dallas Howard anchors all the chaos and Nick Mohammmed's awkwardness is endearing. Orlando Bloom is easily the best thing about this as his character who loves to take method acting too far consistently gets the biggest laughs and is the most watchable presence by far. Paddy Consadine is a likeable mobster plus screenwriters Ben Ashenden & Alexander Owen also make a fun comedic duo who get away with lampshading.

Tom Kingsley's direction imbues the film with a greater visual texture than something released straight to streaming usually has. It's clearly been shot on location and isn't constantly over exposed which aren't high bars to reach but are greatly appreciated considering how many films struggle to achieve them. There are undoubtedly luls between laughs, counterbalanced by how good they are when they arrive.

It's best not to think too much about the plot. Don't do that, and you'll find the movie quite fun.

Bryce Howard, Orlando Bloom, and Nick Mohammed make for a believable trio; their chemistry works! Sean Bean, of course, is always a pleasure to see on screen. Paddy Considine and Sonoya Mizuno are also very able in their supporting roles.

The plot serves its main purpose of letting all the above actors play off each other. The dialogues are serviceable; the real gem here are the situations that the trio find themselves in. It's all so predictable, but nonetheless at times amusing.

If there's any major critique, it is that I wish the movie would have taken more chances and try to subvert our expectations - including maybe even for Sean Bean?

A washed out Actor, an Improv Teacher and a quirky Tech guy find themselves working for the police, going undercover to bust two big drug gangs.

I was taken aback by all 3 leads (one unknown that ended up being better than expected), with Orlando Bloom reminding why I find him so charming with his acting. Didn't expect to also see Sean Bean and Ian McShane, much less delivering quality roles in what seems like a low profile film.

All around, a quality script that is quite entertaining and unpredictable due to the creativity of this nonsensical premise. Good dialogue, some action, and plenty of comedic moments. Easy recommendation, as it has too many good things going for it..