Dealin' Good For The Man

"The jungle creed says the strongest feed

On any prey that it can

And I was branded beast at every feast

Before I ever became a man"

 

Deep Cover (Bill Duke, 1992)

Always something of a risk returning to a film for a repeat viewing after many years; you really can't expect to feel the same way about it after such significantly long time. In my case, I had not seen Bill Duke's crime thriller Deep Cover (1992) since perhaps the mid nineties. That's a long time, where both taste and perspective can significantly change over the proceeding decades. Definitely was a fan of the film back in the day, but I think it got lost for me during the high output of classics from the nineties. Pleased to report that Deep Cover has aged like fine wine.

The plot of an undercover cop working his way up to the top of the drug distribution chain is hardly unique, but Duke successfully manages to keep it interesting with his conspiratorial take on the war on drugs and the socio-political effects it leaves behind in its wake. It's a thought-provoking spin then that at the behest of his governing superiors, a lawman would commit a 180° turn in his desire to make a positive change. In effect, he becomes the very monster he despises. A character arc that appeals to me greatly. 

 

"Twenty-five thousand for a jacket, wear it once"

 

Of course an intriguing plot alone isn't enough to hold a film down, a worthy cast is also required; in particular a worthwhile actor to play our film's lead protagonist - Laurence Fishburne (credited as Larry Fishburne in this film). That's a win, right there. The man cropped up in some personal favourites of mine like Apocalyspe Now (1979), Death Wish 2 (1982) and A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987). Crazy how versatile an actor Fishburne was back in the day and how he could wear a black and white 8 Ball leather jacket and look cool in it. From White Lines to Perry White, Fishburne caught my main attention with his scene stealing performance as the iconic Jimmy Jump in Abel Ferrara's King of New York (1990), but here, he carries this entire movie on his back. Love his narration that pops in here and there - it's like a complimentary extract read out from an Iceberg Slim novel. Even with a great supporting role by Jeff Goldblum as David Jason (no Del Boy), the shady attorney turned gangster (predating Sean Penn's similar career change as David Kleinfeld in Brian De Palma's final classic Carlito's Way (1993) by a year), before his manifestation as  another quintessential karma piñata actor for r/movies vultures. On the under acknowledgement tip, I'm a big fan of 'roided up, Terminator quoting rival dealer Ivy and his unnamed Ilsa She Wolf of the SS looking partner in crime. Not surprised by the quotes however, since Bill Duke starred in two of Arnold Schwarzenegger's most famous films. Would have loved to have seen a spin-off movie of the pair of them back in the day, especially when killer couples were all the rage back then; even Perdita Durango from David Lynch's Wild at Heart (1990) appeared in a dedicated spin-off movie.

 

Visually, the film is super stylised with an omnipresent application of primary colours to keep the eyes peeled to the screen, which I find reminiscent of early Spike Lee and Pedro Almodóvar movies from the same era. It makes excellent use of dark blues and blacks, too; it's one of, but not the only reason why it's labeled as a neo-noir. Particularlly fond of the framing and composition, especially all the gorgeous angled shots. Dukes' film is incredibly striking, which I didn't initially pick up on during the VHS years, but it's instantly recognisable now from the switch to high definition.

 

"I love the way you talk
(Oh yeah Betty Jean)
Speaking little, saying a lot.
(Oh yeah Betty Jean)"

 

The soundtrack is perhaps even more appreciated than the actual film, since it was the first time most heads were introduced to a young pup named Snoop Doggy Dogg, as he featured on the classic Dr. Dre title single. It also featured the massive Shabba Ranks hit Mr. Loverman, along with two other big time personal faves: Jewell's Love or Lust and Kokane's Nickel Slick Ni@@a. The former of which I regret not adding to my 101 Best Non-Rap Singles Of The 90s list. There's also soundtrack composer Michel Colombier's synth banger John and Betty's Theme which is a nice sample of Death Wish 2's soundtrack and a fitting nod to Fishburne's appearance in it.

Criterion releasing this fine film in their collection is somewhat bittersweet to me: on the one hand, it raises the film's profile and potentially attracts new fans in the process; on the other, Deep Cover is the type of film that has had those very same film snobs turn their nose at it in times past. Seeing this film get the deluxe treatment is a step in the right direction and way better than some of the overrated pretentious shite they normally put out.

Dr. Dre introducing Snoop Doggy Dogg - Deep Cover
(Deep Cover soundtrack, 1992)