Layer Cake – 2004

April 5, 2010 by JT
Filed under Film Reviews

If there was ever a perfectly crafted film then this has to be it, Mathew Vaughn’s Layer Cake for me tops a long list of British gangster flicks. Why you may ask? Well firstly the script, it’s clever, concise and slick. Second the acting, it’s brilliant and thirdly, the director. Mathew Vaughn brings a precise eye, creating a slick, highly entertaining visually effective style which complements the twisting storyline very well.

The story follows Daniel Craig, a successful cocaine dealer who is heading for early retirement, a way out. However things go a bit “turbo” and he’s involved with a missing girl, a million ecstasy tablets and trying to deal with two sophisticated crime bosses.

Daniel Craig’s performance is very good, he’s not your stereotypical villain. He dresses well and conducts himself with degree of professionalism. Oh, and he has a plan which he sticks to! He is supported by an equally good cast including Sir Michael Gambon, Colm Meaney and George Harris. Some of the sub plots have come in for heavy criticism in the past but I feel that they all fit together, and there is never any confusion as to what the real narrative is all about.

I wouldn’t want to draw any reflections from other films of the same genre such as Lock Stock and Snatch, but safe to say that this one stands up head and shoulders above many others. There are some fantastic scenes, last able quotes and a super cool soundtrack.

This does what it says on the tin!

View the trailer