Amazon.com: As its title suggests, Layer Cake is a crime thriller that cuts into several levels of its treacherous criminal underworld. The title is actually one character's definition of the drug-trade hierarchy, but it's also an apt metaphor for the separate layers of deception, death, and betrayal experienced by the film's unnamed protagonist, a cocaine traffic middle-man played with smooth appeal by Daniel Craig (rumored at the time of this film's release to be on the short list for consideration as the next James Bond). Listed in the credits only as "XXXX," the character is trapped into doing a favor for his volatile boss, only to have tables turned by his boss's boss (Michael Gambon) in a twisting plot involving a stolen shipment of Ecstasy, a missing girl, duplicitous dealers, murderous Serbian gangsters, and a variety of lowlifes with their own deadly agendas. As adapted by J.J. Connolly (from his own novel) and directed by Matthew Vaughan (who earned his genre chops as producer of Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch), Layer Cake improves upon those earlier British gangland hits with assured pacing, intelligent plotting, and an admirable emphasis on plot-moving dialogue over routine action. Sure, it's violent (that's to be expected) and not always involving, but it's smarter than most thrillers, and Vaughan's directorial debut has a confident style that's flashy without being flamboyant. This could be the start of an impressive career. --Jeff Shannon
Description: Planning to retire and begin a new life, Mr. X (Daniel Craig, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), a successful West End drug dealer, has been asked for one last favor: to negotiate the sale of one million hits of Ecstasy. Unfortunately for Mr. X, the pills were stolen from a Serbian drug lord who'll cut off his head if he sells them. And with a London crime czar (Michael Gambon, Open Range & The Insider) promising to retire him permanently if he doesn't, Mr. X may be rightfully concerned about his future. Nothing worth losing his head over.
Dull but not Totally Boring Do not watch this movie expecting Snatch or Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. Even though the source material has some fun in it, similar to the two previously mentioned films, the life is stripped out of Layer Cake in this crime world quasi-drama where 3 story lines (well... 3 *main* story lines) intersect at one person whose life gets turned upside down in an instant.
But all the story lines lay flat. There are no characters that you really care about enough to stay with. They feel almost too polished because they are supposed to be uber-cool drug dealers. But that also makes them very forgetable. There is no character development that makes them jump off the page. This makes the movie dull.
It is not a total loss though. There are cool concepts. Guilt of murder, retribution, and endless double crossing are just a few. None are taken to full developement, but are good points to ponder what could have been. There are nice cinematic shots, which is also interesting. And there are a few points (including the ending) that I think were pleasant departures from the norm. These factors make it 'not boring.'
In feel, it actually reminded me of 'Lucky Number Slevin.' Not in story line (although the crime bosses and double cross components are there), but rather in overall style. That movie is better than Layer Cake. I would recommend that movie before this one. If you are a Daniel Craig fan, I would get this on sale somewhere. Don't pay top dollar.
Layer Cake (Blu-Ray) My home theatre screen was electrified with this wonderful Blu-Ray movie. The movie was received in a timely manner and in excellent condition. I shall order more Blu-Ray as soon as they are on sale.
Great criminal fun...... A arrogant and ambitious mid-level criminal gets schooled in how the Big Fish swim...and why a Small Fish should never be underestimated....
A true "must-see" for lovers of top-notch crime/action/drama.
Don't Miss this Gem It's been a little over a year now since I first saw this movie, and it still sticks with me. Everyone I have recommended this gem to says they have not been disappointed. At times subtle, at times like a kick in the head (literally), all the players turn in superb performances. You'll never listen to Duran Duran's "Ordinary World" again wiithout thinking of this movie!
Best In Its Class British crime movie in the vain of Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels or Snatch. It's mostly a drama but there is action and dark comedy mixed in. Great fleshed-out characters. Soundtrack includes some great '80s brit-pop/new wave. Top notch acting by everyone involved. You can definitely see why Daniel Craig got the Bond gig. Takes itself a bit more serious than Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels and it's actually a better movie. In my opinion, the pinnacle (so far) of the plot -twisting British crime movies.
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