Directed by Matthew Vaughn
Written by J.J. Connolly
Starring Daniel Craig, Colm Meaney, Michael Gambon
R • 2004 • 105 minutes

by Toasty Mac

What you are going to hear a ton of, and what most of you are going to want to assume is that comparisons of Layer Cake to Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels are fair. They are not, however.

Matthew Vaughn, producer of the two famed Guy Ritchie films is the director and producer of this new bit of Brit Crime flare, and well, it's just not the same thing.

A better comparison to make would be to The Limey. Layer Cake, you see, is a crime drama... where as both Ritchie films were clearly dark comedies. Be assured, there are plenty of giggle worthy moments in Vaughn's inaugural effort, but the movie as a whole is much slower paced and thoughtful. In Layer Cake there is much more an element of appeal to the protagonist as a person of real emotion and feeling than in Ritchie's pieces, and dare I say also a grittier appeal to the entire scope of the UK-Northern Block crime world as well.

Daniel Craig (a fella I am none too familiar with unfortunately), gives an A+ performance here-in. His portrayal appears plenty stoic a character throughout the film, but always is carrying with it a shadow of excellent vulnerability. Craig the actor is on a plateau I'd even say, in that he lets you feel the character acting tough, instead of noticing the actor playing a tough guy, who's got an inner dialogue.

A part of this credit has to be due the finely scripted narration, in the protagonist’s voice as well, but more of it really must be said due the incredible (and well shot) eyes of Craig alone! Windows to the soul, absolutely... it's always so nice to watch an actor who can tint his own to reflect the soul of his character so intensely as well.

Lock, stock and a bunch of English gangsters