LAYER CAKE

Matthew Vaughn serves up another sorted crime caper with LAYER CAKE. The producer of LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS and SNATCH, centers LAYER CAKE around an unnamed drug dealer, played by Daniel Craig. Craig’s unnamed anti-hero doesn’t consider him self as much a drug dealer as he does a businessman, providing a service to a willing customer. His mantra is as an accountant, he doesn’t brandish a firearm and he likes to keep his transactions nice and tidy. Things become messy for him when his boss requests a special assignment, involving a sticky drug deal and both of their bosses daughter.

With layer upon layer of criminals, drug dealers, assassins and other assorted bad guys, LAYER CAKE continues the spirit of SNATCH AND LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS. All of the movies are deeply entangled webs of crime, which require multiple viewings for complete comprehension. Maybe multiple viewings wouldn’t be enough for each. Despite it’s convoluted plot, LAYER CAKE is a compelling corruption tale thanks to an intense performance by Craig, and a conclusion which is both shocking and appropriate. As XXXX, as his character is titled in the end credits, Craig creates a morally inept character who somehow elicits a rooting interest in the picture. He’s fairly cold, completely calculating, ethically bankrupt, but he generates a brilliant anti-hero. Director Matthew Vaughn keeps things interesting as well, ratcheting up the intensity with a wide array of characters and motivations. LAYER CAKE is a puzzle which might not be able to be solved, but contains some entertaining pieces.

Grade: B-