Layer Cake
Matthew Vaughn directs this intricate drama, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, about a British drug dealer (Daniel Craig) who longs to ditch his illegal trade. But he can't do that without wrapping up just one more job involving a gargantuan stash of purloined ecstasy. The cache's original owners are after him as well, leaving him with no other choice but to run for his life while trying to make this one final deal a big success.
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Not as cute or clever as the Guy Richie caper films that it begs comparison with, Layer Cake is still entertaining fluff. The film strikes a more serious tone than those movies, somewhat to it's detriment. Daniel Craig delivers a good performance as the unnamed protagonist, a mid-level drug dealer about to retire with his ill gottens, but forced into one last job, that ever so predictably spirals out of control. But we all know the basic plot; we're actually in it for the colorful locals, flagrant and creative profanity, unexpected twists, and the club ready soundtrack. And Layer Cake doesn't disappoint. Colm Meaney, Kenneth Cranham, George Harris (who's character Morty, deliver's one of cinema's most epic beatdowns in this movie) put in excellent performances as tea drinking gangsters, also good are Jamie Foreman as the flaky psycho "The Duke", and Sally Hawkins and Ben Whishaw as his coked up GF "Slasher" and his poser nephew. A few exceptions: the usually servicable Michael Gambon rumbles through the movie like a man just there for the check, and though she's featured prominently on the promo material Sienna Miller is onscreen briefly, and is ultimately (kinda) a minor character. The profanity is profuse, if not particularly eloquent or clever; the techno/soul soundtrack while not earth shattering, is good and sets up scenes well. All in all, you've seen it before, but still a competent execution.- RW 1337694
Seriously, I need to say that this is one of the most amazing movies I;ve seen in a really long time. Not to say it is the greatest movie ever made, but the sheer gamut of emotions one runs through - from "huh" to "what the hell?" to "holy crap!" to "oh my god!" is simply amazing. This movie is sheer brilliance simply for the fact that you will never, no matter what you think, predict it properly. You will think you predicted the next scene, like me, but will be amazingly surprised. I will say this: as an American growing up on American style mafia movies, this one is sheer brilliance, and one of the greatest movies in this genre - hands down.
- Aaron Griffin
I read the book and I'm glad that the movie made just as much sense. This yank bird couldn't follow much of what was going on. Craig seems a little posh and a little old for this role. Not to say he isn't a good looking bloke. Kudos to the screenwriter/writer for following the book so closely though. I love me some Guy Ritchie crime stuff so this helps my jones.
- ME 643475
If you enjoyed Lock Stock and Snatch, don't assume you'll enjoy this also. Though there are similarities - Matthew Vaughn DID produce both of those movies - Layer Cake doesn't match up to their level. First, I never felt connected to the main character - he could have died halfway through and I wouldn't much have cared. Second, there are way too many storylines to develop them all. At least three could be cut out and never missed. Overall, the movie tries to be so complex and clever that it just isn't a good film. You can understand the plot, it just isn't a good one. Sound was also an issue.
- gye 135377
Layer Cake, like the name implies, is a film with many subplots and side stories, tons of characters, and a very twisted timeline. It does manage to keep the pace moving and the stories separated, but the sense of complication is still the movie's biggest weakness. Matthew Vaughn, one of the producers of Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, two British crime-comedies by director Guy Ritchie, took on this project when previous engagements made it impossible for Ritchie to direct. Because the story is another about British criminals, I'm sure he knew he had to separate himself from Ritchie as much as possibly. The problem is, he spends most of the movie trying to do just that. Unlike Snatch and Lock, Stock, Layer Cake is nearly devoid of humor. I understand that was a deliberate decision, but there were a few times when the movie needed a laugh and didn't get one. As hard as Vaughn tried, that is about the only difference between the movies. The intertwining stories, colorful British criminals (and language), and even much of the camera work felt lifter right out of Ritchie's playbook. Except without the humor. While Layer Cake does play like a Snatch rip-off sans humor, it's not all bad. Matthew Vaughn may have some trouble getting out from under Ritchie's shadow, but if he does, he may have a promising career ahead of him. If you're a fan of that kind of British crime movie, Layer Cake is certainly worth a rental.
- eclapham
Horrible name for a gangster action film, made me avoid it for years. But I finally got low on my queue and decided to give it a chance. It was a great film, great twists and turns, similar to Guy Ritchie's early work. A few too many characters to follow, but it worked out well in the end. Daniel Craig really established himself in this role, and stole every scene he was in. I would recommend it to anyone who likes gun/drug/crime action flicks.
- Victory33
This is such a great movie. It takes a complex story, whittles it down to a great 100 minutes, but manages to not lose anything and just pulls in with each scene. The acting is excellent from top to bottom, Craig and Gambon especially. Excellent supporting cast includes Colm Meaney and George Harris as his sidekicks and Steven Walters and Louis Emerick as his business partners/associates. There're many levels of intrigue but you're never lost. Great sets, beautiful London cinematography, and excellent costuming give you the wide breadth of the many "layers" of London's criminal world. Sienna Miller is gorgeous and incredibly sexy in the film if you like that. How Jude Law cheated on her I have no idea. Include a great soundtrack that I'm trying to find now and this is a fantastic movie. An auspicious outing from a first-time director. 4 and a half stars.
- Dan the Karateka
Daniel Craig is incredible as a nameless drug dealer attempting to retire in this suspenseful, but somewhat implausible thriller. Colm Meaney also puts forth an amusing performance. The heist/scheme plot of the film is successful at maintaining tension, but has a number of weak points, including some dropped plot threads and a stumbling, incongruous, and disappointing ending (some might consider it "arty," but it tries to be cynical, then tries to be triumphant, then tries to be cynical again). Background music is somewhat invasive and noticeable, but cinematography is good.
- The Pedant