After years of hard work and relationship-building, London drug dealer XXXX (Daniel Craig) is looking to cash in and get out.
However, his retirement is postponed when mobster Jimmy Price (Kenneth Cranham) demands XXXX’s services…
I have never seen this movie before.
Not as flashy as Matthew Vaughn’s later work, Layer Cake benefits from a real sense of consequence through the film’s action.
There is nothing teflon about this story - which differentiates this movie from Guy Ritchie’s work (Vaughn was Ritchie producer on his early films).
Twenty years (!) after his debut, it is easier to separate the work of the two filmmakers.
No one gets away with it.
What defines the villains - and makes them terrifying - is how selfish and stupid they are
XXXX is the smartest guy in the room but no one is listening.
In the lead, Craig shines - confident but not swaggering, cool yet emotionally exposed.
Vaughn recognises the power of Craig’s eyes.
At his point of ultimate success, XXXX turns and finally addresses the camera.
He is taking control of the movie.
Of course this turns out to be an illusion.
A great showcase for Vaughn and Craig, Layer Cake is terrific entertainment.
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