People whose line of work involves deception are at risk of ultimately deceiving themselves. This is something that threatens protagonist of In Too Deep, 1999 crime thriller directed by Michael Rymer. Plot is set in Cincinnati where 80 percent of crack cocaine is being controlled by Dwayne Keith Gittens (played by LL Cool J), gang boss who became so powerful that everyone calls him “God”. Many young men from African American ghetto are attracted to his organisation and that includes Jeff Cole (played by Omar Epps). He shows such levels of skill and loyalty and he soon advances from mere recruit into one of the most trusted members of Gittens’ inner circle. Gittens would have been less enthusiastic about Cole if he knew that the young man was actually an undercover cop. But Cole nevertheless maintains cover of unquestionable loyalty, even when witnessing his boss committing cruel murders. “God”, on the other side, also shows kinder and gentler side and Cole begins to honestly treat him as a friend. This, however, doesn’t sit well with Cole’s boss Preston D’Ambrosio (played by Stanley Tucci) who is convinced that Cole took his role a little bit too seriously and that it could jeopardise future criminal case. He has Cole temporarily removed from his assignment. Cole uses pause to meet attractive art student Myra (played by Nia Long) with whom he would start romantic relationship. This short moment of happiness ends when Cole is brought back on the mean streets of Cincinnati where his mission becomes dangerous both for his body and his soul.
Michael Rymer, Australian director best known for his work on re-imagined 2000s version of Battlestar Galactica, tried to transcend cliches of the script by Michael Henry Brown and Paul Aaron by having setting in decaying industrial city of American Rustbelt, something different from ghettos of Los Angeles or New York where most such films take place. He was fortunate to have very good cast at his disposal – rap star LL Cool J who obviously enjoyed playing vicious yet complex villain and Omar Epps, one of the more dependable actors of his generation. Unfortunately, their efforts failed to remove the main problem of In Too Deep - its predictability. Motive of divided loyalties, used so many times in the thrillers about undercover policemen, is barely touched here and even less experienced viewers could easily guess the ending. Film is further compromised by moralising dialogue lines, as well as completely redundant romantic subplot. Comparisons with Donnie Brasco, thriller based on the same premise, are going to make this film much worse than it actually is. In Too Deep, despite good acting and solid direction, shouldn’t be recommended to anyone other than most devout fans of its main stars.
RATING: 4/10 (+)
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