Retro Film Review: Layer Cake (2004)

Institutions like the Internet Movie Database could not exist without films being - directly or indirectly - connected with each other. This characteristic of modern films sometimes results in certain titles being less remembered for their own artistic or commercial value and more for their significance to other films. Layer Cake, a 2004 British crime drama, exemplifies this phenomenon. Initially conceived as another entry in the "cool" British gangster film genre popularized by Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, Ritchie was initially set to direct this film as well but later handed over the reins to his producer, Matthew Vaughn.

The plot of the film is based on the book by J.J. Connolly. The unnamed protagonist (played by Daniel Craig) is a mid-level drug dealer who considers himself to be a businessman rather than a gangster. He abhors violence and runs his business with precision and professionalism, filling his bank account sufficiently for him to be only a few deals away from retirement. However, destiny thwarts those plans from two directions. His old-style gangster boss Jimmy Price (portrayed by Kenneth Cranham) instructs him to locate the drugged-out runaway daughter of influential businessman Eddie Temple (portrayed by Michael Gambon). While he contemplates how to accomplish this task, another problem arises with Duke (portrayed by Jamie Foreman), his drugged-out business associate who has stolen a million ecstasy pills from Slavo (portrayed by Marcel Iures), a former Serb warlord operating in Amsterdam. These pills are the reason why Slavo dispatches his merciless and deadly assassin Dragan (portrayed by Dragan Mićanović) to London.

The inevitable comparisons between this and two of Ritchie's films make Layer Cake more ambitious, more conventional, and, in a way, much better (at least compared with the overpraised Snatch). This is attributed to the plot being based on a book and encompassing a broader scope than the East End underworld. This distinction is immediately evident in the opening, where the protagonist's narration places the film's intricate plot within a wider economic, political, and cultural context. The protagonist himself stands out - he consistently refers to himself as a "non-gangster," and his accent, aesthetic preferences, and behaviour suggest a background of middle-class upbringing and some level of education, rather than a former street child turning to crime to escape poverty. Layer Cake reinforces this portrayal by challenging the protagonist with his older, more seasoned, and more dependable associates (portrayed by reliable character actors like Colm Meaney and Daniel Harris) who hail from lower social strata and employ business methods that the protagonist finds distasteful. The film further explores this theme by placing the protagonist in encounters with individuals who ostensibly belong to the higher echelons of British society, where the distinction between business and crime becomes increasingly blurred.

Layer Cake is visually impressive, and Vaughn demonstrates skill as a first-time director. The film's judicious use of limited resources is evident - London, depicted with prestigious nightclubs, modern skyscrapers, and old country clubs, appears more attractive, vibrant, and "hip" compared to Ritchie's films. While the accompanying music soundtrack can sometimes feel overly trendy, it is less distracting than the entirely unnecessary romantic subplot involving the protagonist's love interest, portrayed by Sienna Miller (a subplot with real-life implications that fuelled tabloid interest during production). The film's major flaw seems to lie in its plot and resolution - the complexity of the storyline may require viewers to watch the film multiple times to fully grasp the intricacies.

Nevertheless, Layer Cake earned its place in history. An image from the film, later featured on posters, played a pivotal role in Daniel Craig securing the highly coveted position of the next James Bond. Moreover, even viewers disinterested in the James Bond franchise could appreciate "Layer Cake" as a skilfully crafted, serious, and largely entertaining British gangster film.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

(Note: Original version of the review is available here.)

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