Shadows on the Wall | Deep Cover

Deep Cover

dir Tom Kingsley
scr Derek Connolly, Colin Trevorrow, Ben Ashenden, Alexander Owen
prd Colin Trevorrow, Laurie MacDonald, Walter F Parkes
with Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed, Paddy Considine, Sean Bean, Ian McShane, Sonoya Mizuno, Ben Ashenden, Alexander Owen, Omid Djalili, Nneka Okoye, Freya Parker
release US/UK 13.Jun.25
25/UK MGM 1h39

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Centring around people whose lives are adrift, this action comedy pulls us in as the three likeable lead actors add amusing details to characters who are pretending to be tougher than they actually are. It's not easy for director Tom Kingsley to maintain the breezy comedy vibe when things turn genuinely violent. And the plot twists are fairly easy to predict. But the general mayhem is enjoyably nutty.

In London, nerdy tech guy Hugh (Mohammad) enrols in an improv class run by Kat (Howard) alongside over-serious actor Marlon (Bloom). One day, shady Detective Billings (Bean) approaches Kat about working with him on a simple drug sting, because she's so good at thinking on her feet, and she brings Hugh and Marlon along with her. But things escalate quickly when they meet drug supplier Fly (Considine), who also admires their quick-witted reactions. But this encourages Billings to send them in to work undercover with Fly, and maybe bring down the big boss (McShane) too.

Textures emerge in the issues that push these three into this predicament, plus the enjoyment they get from the danger. And things are complicated further when two hapless cops (Ashenden and Owen) stumble into this case, seeing this trio as kingpins. Where this story goes has a madcap energy, spiralling into some outrageous set-pieces that swerve suddenly between funny and nasty. And it's fun to watch these disparate people become unlikely friends in the midst of such a chaotic situation.

The three leads are thoroughly engaging, pulling us into their increasingly messy odyssey. Howard gives Kat a perky charm, an artist stuck in a rut until this pugnacious alter-ego brings her to life. Bloom has fun as Marlon hilariously overthinks everything, leaning into his bad-guy persona until he loses himself. Mohammed provides plenty of heart as the shy Hugh begins to discover unexpected real-world skills, including connecting with Fly's sexy goon (Mizuno). And the supporting cast around them is terrific, putting spins on their typecast roles.

Essentially, the movie's message is the same as the first rule of improv: always say yes to whatever is thrown at you. So even if the whole crime narrative feels rather tired, based on the movies rather than real life, it's entertaining to watch these characters clumsily rise to each challenge. All of this leads to a climax that plays riotously with the movie's premise with a funny, explosive conclusion. And it also reminds us that improvisational comedians are some of the toughest people on earth.

themes, language, violence 12.Jun.25

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