Bill Duke directs a gritty, rough and tumble cop film, and does it incredibly well. It’s an entertaining and brutal ride, and lets Laurence Fishburne shine.

Fishburne plays Russell Stevens, a cop recruited by Carver (Charles Martin Smith) to go undercover as a drug dealer in order to get close to Barbosa (Gregory Sierra) and Gallegos (Arthur Mendoza). Haunted by the death of his father (Glynn Turman) who was killed when he held up a corner store, Stevens walks a fine line between cop and criminal.

And being undercover? Blurs that line.

He finds himself working with a lawyer turned dealer, David (Jeff Goldblum). David has ideas about a synthetic drug, something that has the dealers laughing at him, and allows Stevens under his alias John Hull to get close to him.

But things are going to start going wrong. Carver is keeping Stevens under, but isn’t happy about some of the things that Stevens has learned. Throw in a cop, Taft (Clarence Williams III) and Stevens is going to have a hard go of it.

When David starts going off the rails, the whole case threatens to fall apart, and Stevens is going to have to hold on to everything just to stay alive.

It’s smart, well-written, oh so gritty, and features some stellar performances. Fishburne is amazing, the film has a fantastic soundtrack, and Duke almost gives the entire film a noir look with deep shadows, questionable characters, murky settings, fantastic coloring, and lots of grey morals and ethics.

Duke, prior to this had been a prolific television director, but this was only his second feature film. And it’s absolutely jaw dropping in how good it is. Gritty, violent, realistic, and packed with stellar performances.

I can’t believe it took me so long to see this one, but I’m glad I was able to appreciate it as much as I do.

I’ve always enjoyed Fishburne in everything I’ve seen him in, and Goldblum is always a delight, and in this one, he really gets to walk right on the edge of madness. Pairing them is a great call, but that’s only the topping on an incredible cinematic meal.

Everything works in this one. An exploration of blurred lines as one tries to hold onto one’s moral code and compass. It’s not going to be for everyone, but damn, if it’s up your alley, you are going to love this one. If you’ve never seen it check it out, and if you have seen it, isn’t it time for a rewatch?

Honestly, I would cast Fishburne in everything! He’s amazing.