Layer Cake [2004]

Layer Cake has an entrancing plot which is further developed through the high quality acting and excellent directing. This film is incredibly stylish and very entertaining. It is well worth watching.


Outstanding!!!   June 19, 2005
I. Jelley (Long Buckby)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

I had so many fears watching this film that it would be one step too far for the makers of lock stock and snatch. How wrong i was. Expertly short, with more twists than your average slinky. The characters are once again top drawer, and they've also thrown in some of the cast from the previous films. Great Soundtrack ,gripping plot and fantastic ending force other films in my top ten to turn round and take notice of the new kid on the block. This film is a must for anyones collection. Move over Lock Stock.


Surprisingly good!   December 13, 2006
Charles Wolf (Italia)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

The trailers to Layer Cake left me with mixed feelings. Usually when a trailer needs to draw reference to 'one's we made earlier' (in this case Lock, Stock, and Snatch) when the writer or director of said films has nothing to do with the project, the end result is a poor copycat. After watching the film, I am more than impressed!

Layer Cake introduces us (once more) to the world of the cockney gangsters, and the dealing of drugs. The medication of choice this time is Ecstacy, and the set up involves an up-and-coming name in the dealing trade being thrown a job by one of the big names. Sent to find a missing girl, and also buy and sell on a large shipment, it all seems like easy work. However, as he soon finds, things are not always as they seem, and before long his life is at risk when the deal begins to go sour.

For the first 20 minutes of the film I couldn't decide whether it was going to be a Lock, Stock, or Honest (the dreadful All Saints film). The film uses the obligatory 'catchy' tunes from the past 2 decades, and uses the same type of framing of scenes as the genre. For the first 20 minutes, whilst we were introduced rapidly to the characters in the tale, it was hard to discern where the plot was going, and even harder to care much about the players. By the half way point I was engrossed! The plot twists and turns at various points throughout, and you do begin to care about the lead character and the associates around him.

The film oozes cockney cool, and although not quite on par with the best of the genre, it is still a worthy, and very engrossing, offering from director Matthew Vaughn. Stylishly shot, with a great soundtrack, this is one of those films that blokes will walk out of very pleased, but their partners may not feel the same way. Whilst not really violent or sexist in nature, this is a lads film through and through, and it is one cake that I want another slice of.


I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED IT   July 11, 2006
E. Edwards (Wales, UK)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

it shocks me to think that what is to see in this film actually goes on every day in real life. it is so realistic and much better than most gangster films. however, it can be quite confusing so watch it carefully without distractions and if you understand it it will probably be one of the best crime films you will ever watch. i must say i thoroughly enjoyed it.