L4yer Cak3

Films about the life of crime are a part of our culture. Godfather has been the most-watched and most-purchased movie since its release in 1972. Goodfellas, circa 1990, follows close behind. Why is it that we are so captivated by organized crime? I don't know but it certainly pulls in the profits at the box office.



Layer Cake

Daniel Craig is featured as the man with no name in this tight, neo-noir. I understand now why the powers that be picked him as the new Bond; he does come off as strong, calm and mysterious.

If it feels like you are watching a slightly different spin on Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels or Snatch, well, its because the same guy, Matthew Vaughn, applies his slick production style to Layer Cake as well.

Mr. X (Craig), after a long, successful career as a cocaine dealer, decides to retire while he's ahead. But, just as he exits, a bigger drug-lord asks him for a favor. Bits of acidic British humor and electronica permeate as the execution of the favor becomes progressively more complicated and dangerous.

The plot flips toward the end and the favor turns out to be a masquerade for something entirely different. As Mr. X determines his new and uncertain fate, he receives a facts-of-life speech from the head underlord himself, which serves as both a warning and a premonition.

Our lives are stratified. When you're at the bottom you take crap from above. As you ascend you take crap from above and below. Then, perhaps, you reach that rarified level where the concept of crap no longer exists.

Son, welcome to the layer cake.

8.0/10

Layer Cake