Deep Cover: A New Genre is born | OBSCURAE @ SXSW London

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Between the polished action blockbuster and the low budgets of British Comedy film lies "Deep Cover". Its screenwriter and producer Colin Trevorrow's American shine that no doubt brought the big names to the table (Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom). However, as a straight down the line American action film, it did not get made.

As Hollywood has migrated to the UK for our talented crews and cheaper filming costs, a story like this managed to find new legs in getting reimagined as a street-level Indie comedy punching above it's weight. It is an unmitigated hit, and a match made in heaven - British deadpan, sharp, with a mix of awkward, alongside larger than life stakes and a little bit more budget than the British Comedy is used to, created a gorgeous marriage of laughs and shocks, and, if people see the film, will undoubtedly spawn a new genre of action comedy filmmaking.

The story isn't perfect - it lands flat in key places - but it very deftly balances British irony with American earnestness. It also marks a pivot in Bloom's career, toward comedy, which he has a very keen sense for, especially in his native British accent (which he uses, as well as a bunch of others, in this film). We're in for a Bloom-aissance, I think. Soon. In three years we'll be talking about Oscars again, for sure.

Ultimately, this will be the film that opens the door to true cross-atlantic collaboration - not just Americans remaking our things, taking our stars one by one and giving them specials, or coming and using our crews but importing the name talent. This was a true marriage - and the results were as fascinating as they were entertaining. I look forward to seeing how audiences respond.

Stay tuned to OBSCURAE - between SXSW London and TriBeCa? It's about to get juicy! If you want all the latest reviews straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter!