Deep Cover

Bill Duke talked about wanting to compose each scene as if it’s the middle part of a longer scene as a device to keep the stakes high. It works to create a pulsating rhythm and allows the actors to really have fun. Everybody in this gives the best performance of their career, as far as I’ve seen. The blunt instrument it uses to criticize the power structure for its complicity in the drug crisis is obviously excellent and has been discussed plenty. One thing I read in this viewing that was a little different with regards to the proselytizing local cop. He doesn’t understand the depth of Fishburne’s character and is pedaling a simple Christian morality solution to a problem that’s much more systemic. His own naivety gets him killed. God won’t save you.