Layer Cake (DVD 2005)

I read many reviews making this seem like it's fabulous ... it's not ... hardly memorable but good escapist fare. Like many things 'English', too much is made of arthouse moments to pad out what's missing in the substance of the story ... this is ok as a tool but it drones on as a part of the feeling of this whole movie. Daniel Craig is good but he's hardly Sean Connery or Roger Moore.

Excellent story line, keeps you on edge. Daniel Craig plays the role brilliantly. Three alternate endings on the disc but the one they used is incredible. Best of the British Crime genre. Highly recommend.

"I'm not a gangster," says Daniel Craig's dapper drug dealer at the beginning of Layer Cake. "I'm a businessman." And he's a successful one at that. With a million quid stashed ready for early retirement, he's scuppered when a menacing Mr Big (Kenneth Cranham) asks him to track down the smack-addicted daughter of a wealthy friend (Michael Gambon). Soon our anti-hero's 'one last job' threatens to do for him, in what amounts to Lock, Stock without the laughs.

Lock, Stock's producer, Matthew Vaughn, stepped up to direct this when Guy Ritchie got too busy with other projects and being Mr Madonna. But Vaughn's no slouch behind the camera and though Layer Cake lacks the charisma and wit of the pair's underrated Snatch, it's slickly shot and enjoyable, with one outstanding scene: the cafe-set revenge of an embittered ex-con. Filmed unflinchingly with you-are-there energy, it's powerful and cinematic. You know you're watching a movie, not some TV drama blown up for the big screen.

"HE'S JUST LIKE US"

Craig also comes into his own here, shocked and appalled by what he's witnessing but nevertheless grateful this brutal bloke is on his side. His character is a smug, moral, hypocrite, but the actor's skill is that we don't immediately twig this. He remains likeable, with an everyman quality emphasised by a voiceover-heavy script that makes his get-what-you-can mentality feel sadly familiar. He's just like us.

The screenplay could have done with being streamlined. Adapted by JJ Connolly from his own novel, it tries to cram in too much, with characters forever giving each other information as the action replays on screen. It feels like there are flashbacks within flashbacks and gets rather long-winded as the plot grows more convoluted. The theme recalls The Long Good Friday; the execution isn't as impressive. But the killer conclusion ensures Layer Cake still cuts it.

WATCH IT!!

Well acted, impressively shot and entertaining enough not to get tarred with the ‘Lock Stock wannabe’ brush, but ultimately there is nothing particularly new or exciting here.

If you’ve seen the trailers or the poster campaign for Layer Cake, you could be forgiven for not wanting to touch it with a ten foot pole: the trailers have a celebrity chef explaining that the “ingredients” for a good Layer Cake include “Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch”, while the posters, frankly, look rather stupid (a cake with a woman’s legs; half-cake, half-car) and fail to generate interest in the film

Craig is effortlessly cool in the lead – between this and his role in the upcoming adaptation of Enduring Love, he should soon be achieving Heap Big British Star status, if not quite in Paul Bettany-sized proportions. Cranham and Gambon are enormously good value too, with both actors clearly enjoying themselves.

There’s also strong support from Colm Meaney and George Harris as Craig’s right-hand men, while Sienna Miller (better known as Jude Law’s current girlfriend) has the obligatory lingerie scene and not much else as Craig’s love interest.

In his directorial debut, Vaughn shows an impressive sense of style, wisely deciding to ditch the flashy Guy Ritchie-style flourishes in favour of a more serious approach that complements the film nicely. In addition, Vaughn’s glossy shots of the London skyline wouldn’t look out of place in a Michael Mann film, thanks to cinematographer Ben Davis.

The main problem with Layer Cake is that it lacks a show-stopping set-piece (think of the torture scene in Gangster Number One or the cocaine sequence in Goodfellas) that might have made it more memorable. That said, it’s undeniably enjoyable and well acted, though you might feel that you’ve seen it all before.

THIS IS A GREAT FILM IF YOU LIKE TWIN TOWN YOU'LL LOVE THIS,
WORTH WATCHING! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The title "LAYER CAKE" refers to the levels the dealer has to go through as he plots his own retirement from the murky world of drug dealing.

This Brit flick, based upon JJ Connelly's London crime novel, "LAYER CAKE" was largely overlooked on its initial release in the cinema despite receiving rave revues at the time. Since its release on DVD it has become recognised an intricate movie that will reward repeat viewing to understand and untangle all of the small sub plots that ultimately rejoin at the end of the film.

Daniel Craig (pre ‘007) is a successful cocaine dealer working for big crime boss Jimmy Price (Kenneth Cranham) who has decided to take early retirement from the business. However before his boss will let him go he hands Daniel Craig’s character (who has no name) a tough final assignment: find Charlotte Ryder, the missing rich princess daughter of Jimmy's old pal Edward (Michael Gambon), a powerful construction business player and gossip papers socialite.

This film is a thinking man’s crime caper that grabs the viewer at the start of the film and refuses to let go until the end. You will find yourself watching this film over and over again because it is so good and also to catch all of the things that you missed when you last watched it.

The end has one of the best surprises that I have seen for a long time and I certainly didn’t see it coming!!


I really liked this film and I highly recommend it

Layer Cake is an action packed film, with plenty of twists in the plot, but not played in a confusing way. This is a film you can happily watch more than once. There will be fresh things you notice each time. The bonus footage of alternative endings is also interesting. I think the director went with the right one!

Based upon JJ Connelly's London crime novel, "LAYER CAKE" is about a successful cocaine dealer (DANIEL CRAIG) who has earned a respected place among England's Mafia elite and plans an early retirement from the business. However, big boss Jimmy Price (Cranham) hands down a tough assignment: find Charlotte Ryder, the missing rich princess daughter of Jimmy's old pal Edward (Gambon), a powerful construction business player and gossip papers socialite. Complicating matters are two million pounds' worth of Grade A ecstasy, a brutal neo-Nazi sect and a whole series of double crossings. The title "LAYER CAKE" refers to the layers or levels the dealer has to go through as he painstakingly plots his own escape. What is revealed is a modern underworld where the rules have changed. There are no 'codes', or 'families' and respect lasts as long as a line. Not knowing who he can trust, he has to use all his 'savvy', 'telling' and skills which make him one of the best, to escape his own. The ultimate last job, a love interest called Tammy and an international drugs ring, threaten to draw him back into the 'cake mix'. But, time is running out and the penalty will endure a lifetime..

Has to be watched a couple of times to really appreciate the fairly complex story line. Very well written and filmed British crime thriller with loads of famous Brit actors from TV and film. The music soundtrack makes the film tick along at a great pace and Micheal Gambon is a fantastic Mr Big. Well worth a look.

Heard it was a good film and it was. Not usually the sort of film I would have
thought about buying but my partner had seen it and so recommended it to me.

Not as good as I thought it would be.....Nothing special to be honest! OK film to watch if your bored, but nothing excellent about the film... 5/10

Layer Cake is a slick snappy pacy character driven thriller. Not as mockney as Lock Stock, not as urban as Boys n The Hood and not as violent as Scarface but with elements of all of them this is a top gangster movie that gets it all about right. Very watchable and enjoyable.

Essentialy it follows the trials and tribulations of a bunch of smooth movers and shakers that operate below the law, centering around the comings and goings of Daniel Craigs character. Craig himself is very good and he is ably supported on all sides by a bunch of actors wo all bring some gravitas to their roles. Plus, unlike a lot of the films of this genre, you won't see the ending coming. Plus it arguably includes one of the funniest early in the morning mobile phone conversations ever. Pretty much a must see.

If you like films such as Lock, Stock..., Snatch, etc... then you will love this.... Daniel Craig puts in a great performance as the cool, calm and calculating drug dealer XXX, planning his exit from the drugs underworld and then watching as his plans come crashing down. Excellent soundtrack as well...

Daniel Craig before Bond! He certainly has that presense about him even in this somewhat average Gangster Film. Some okay characters with many well known English Faces in support roles. Worth watching once.

I was unhappy that the DVD was a copy, I was informed that it had been advertised as a copy but there was nothing in the description anywhere stating it was one.

This film was different!

It was a very unusual film to say the least! the best part of the film??? Daniel Craig! as usual he stood out in his role as, well his character had no name!
The ending was a complete surprise! What a shock! Didnt expexct that!

Well worth a watch just to see what im on about!!!!!
(oh and to see Daniel Craig)

Good film with loads of violence, touched with a smattering of comedy, Daniel Craig in his pre bond days. Basically deals with the criminal underworld and a shipment of stolen ecstacy tablets. Bought it to add to my collection.

an intricate movie that will reward repeat viewing to untangle the web of deceit , manipulation and subterfuge.

craig's character (name unknown)is a smooth underworld money-man for jimmy price (the usual excellent kenneth cranham) and his drug empire.
craig's plan for early 'retirement' are scuppered when a caper involving stolen ecstacy pills , attempted kidnap of a crime overlord's daughter , betrayal , assassination and a serbian 'head-hunter' in hot pursuit all contrive to keep him in the game.

i like this movie ..... a lot.
it forgoes the usual 'gangster' paraphenalia of working class cockney rhyming slang villains ala guy ritchie etc in favour of smooth , sharply dressed very proffessional criminals.
this is a thinking man's crime caper and has swagger and savoire fair in abundance.

what makes this film particularly interesting is , this is daniel craig's audition for james bond.
stand out scene of many is the (spoiler here) assassination scene of one of the characters by craig. its perfect james bond fodder and i would imagine the executives at EON replayed this scene again and again before giving daniel the nod for bond movie 21. daniel's first venture into murder and the emotional trouble and turmoil portrayed in layercake was tailor made for EON's 'reboot' first bond adventure when the M16 agent got his '00' status.

in fact having seen casino royale i cant help concluding that some of layer cake's scenes were borrowed for the latest edition of the bond franchise.

this is an intelligent , confident movie and slipped past unnoticed with the general viewing public .
i encourage you to seek it out and see how daniel craig got his '00' status before casino royale went into production or even had cast auditions !

After watching the superb 'Casino Royale' it was only fair to see Daniel Craig in action. I didn't have any desire to watch 'Layer Cake' until then: seeing as I conceived this adoration for Daniel Craig...I thought I'd buy myself a copy rather than pay to rent it.

The copy I bought was in mint condition - I was very pleased with my purchase and recommend everyone owns a copy of 'Layer Cake'!

I am a great fan of Daniel Craig so wanted to have this movie. I thought it was great fun to watch but a little confusing to follow at times but this keeps the viewers on their toes!

The ending? Well, I won't give anything away but I'm a girl who's a sucker for a happy ending - was I disappointed? You'll have to watch to find out. Definitely worth seeing, Daniel Craig is, well - Daniel Craig and he's bloody good at it. I'd recommend this film and in fact I might go and watch it again now.

LOVE this film - although the plot can be a little confusing at times the cast are perfect and each create a memorable and convincing character. It delves into the world of a London drug dealer. Daniel Craig gives a strong performance -- one of his best roles to date! Also the ending is an excellent cliffhanger!! :-)

Excellent!! Excellent!! Excellent!! One of the vest British films ever made in my opinion Its gritty with a good twisty storyline, excellent perfomance's from Daniel Craig, Sienna Miller, Michael Gambon, Colm Meaney. This is waht the film description reads
"As deeply cool and urbane as its unnamed hero, LAYER CAKE follows the precise, articulate XXXX (Daniel Craig) as he manoeuvres through what he intends to be his last business deal in modern-day London. His business...Drugs. On the cusp of turning 30, XXXX has amassed a personal fortune, deftly avoiding the violence and ugliness so many others in his trade fall prey to by following a strict personal code defined by discretion and clean detachment from the products he sells. Just as XXXX is poised to cash in and get out, Jimmy Price (Kenneth Cranham), the top layer of this particular underworld cake, hands down two tasks: find Eddie Temple's (Michael Gambon) drug-addicted daughter, and unload a mass of ecstasy stolen in Amsterdam by the sloppy, loud Duke (Jamie Foreman), who is exactly the type of wannabe gangster that XXXX has spent his career avoiding. Further complicating matters is Tammy (Sienna Miller), a sexy young blond who XXXX meets in a club and can't get off his mind. First-time director Michael Vaughn (producer on SNATCH and LOCK, STOCK, AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS) brings a practised eye to the film, creating a slick, highly entertaining visual style which perfectly complements the twisting storyline. The London drug world comes to vibrant life in screenwriter J.J. Connolly's adaptation of his first novel, which retains its keen ear for slang and its eye for detail, giving LAYER CAKE a thrilling ring of authenticity. In the role of XXXX, Daniel Craig has a commanding presence, portraying a man who is so good at his job that he may never be permitted to leave it, regardless of how smart he is or how well he's planned. Like the best in the crime-thriller genre, LAYER CAKE is unpredictable, unsettling, and unforgettable."

A great film which I have watched over and over 10 out of 10