DIRECTOR: Matthew VaughnSTARRING: Daniel Craig, Sienna Miller, Ben Whishaw
I’ll admit it: I was initially drawn to this film because Ben Whishaw has a small role in it. I know, I know — I’m a broken record. Upon looking further into it I discovered that it appeared to be a unique take on the British gangster genre (i.e. Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels). Although it isn’t typically a type of film that I’d be interested in, but I decided to dive in anyway.
Layer Cake is focused upon a nameless cocaine dealer (Craig) who informs the audience straightaway that he is “not a gangster but a businessman whose commodity happens to be cocaine.” He hates guns and cares nothing for the glory that drug lords often crave, choosing instead a life of low-profile professionalism. He’s made it big as a result and has decided to bow out into early retirement while he’s still on top. Unfortunately for XXXX (as he is named in the credits), getting out clean may not be an option, as he finds himself entangled in a mess of gangster conspiracies and violence — all of which is made increasingly complicated his attraction to Tammy (Miller), the girlfriend of his boss’s amateur nephew (Whishaw).
Like other films in its genre, Layer Cake has a huge cast and an elaborate story, often making it difficult to follow (especially due to the heaviness of the British accents). It’s fast-paced, violent, and, most importantly, intelligent. It never doubts its audience’s ability to keep up, even if it is a challenge. The characters avoid the blandness and clichés that often comes from these types of movies, giving the actors plenty to play with. Daniel Craig as XXXX was the biggest and most pleasant surprise to me, since I’d written him off as merely a sociopathic version of James Bond with a six pack; here, he breaks the mold, displaying vulnerability and humanity in the face of the brutal deeds he’s forced to commit. He becomes believable as a survivor, someone who isn’t cut out for the drug business but must play the game anyway.
The only troubling plot device was the use of Sienna Miller as Tammy. Aside from her physical appeal, I’ve enjoyed her work a number of times, particularly in Steve Buscemi’s film Interview. Here, however, she is only given perhaps three scenes to work with, and in spite of her screen presence it is difficult to believe that after meeting her once in a club XXXX is immediately willing to cross the drug lords he works for. It was a tricky pill to swallow, but still a sweet one.
On the other hand, I have to take a moment to mention Ben Whishaw — who, like Miller, was terribly underused but totally scene stealing and memorable. As Sidney, the naïve nephew of a drug lord, Whishaw actually gets to play a role unique to his career: a somewhat comedic one. Gone is the quiet, pensive young man; instead, he gets a character that is so dim and perhaps even pathetic that watching him sitting beside the brooding Daniel Craig can only be described as hilarious. Well done, my sweet Whishaw.
Layer Cake was a successful movie. I mean that it accomplished what it set out to accomplish and provided a fresh take on a genre that can sometimes be tiresome, guilty of playing up suavity and violence over subtlety. It was entertaining and gave me newfound appreciation of Daniel Craig and his blue, blue, blue eyes.
Here is a scene for you to enjoy, illustrating some of my points about Craig, Miller, and Whishaw:
FINAL GRADE: B+
I’ll admit it: I was initially drawn to this film because Ben Whishaw has a small role in it. I know, I know — I’m a broken record. Upon looking further into it I discovered that it appeared to be a unique take on the British gangster genre (i.e. Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels). Although it isn’t typically a type of film that I’d be interested in, but I decided to dive in anyway.
Layer Cake is focused upon a nameless cocaine dealer (Craig) who informs the audience straightaway that he is “not a gangster but a businessman whose commodity happens to be cocaine.” He hates guns and cares nothing for the glory that drug lords often crave, choosing instead a life of low-profile professionalism. He’s made it big as a result and has decided to bow out into early retirement while he’s still on top. Unfortunately for XXXX (as he is named in the credits), getting out clean may not be an option, as he finds himself entangled in a mess of gangster conspiracies and violence — all of which is made increasingly complicated his attraction to Tammy (Miller), the girlfriend of his boss’s amateur nephew (Whishaw).
Like other films in its genre, Layer Cake has a huge cast and an elaborate story, often making it difficult to follow (especially due to the heaviness of the British accents). It’s fast-paced, violent, and, most importantly, intelligent. It never doubts its audience’s ability to keep up, even if it is a challenge. The characters avoid the blandness and clichés that often comes from these types of movies, giving the actors plenty to play with. Daniel Craig as XXXX was the biggest and most pleasant surprise to me, since I’d written him off as merely a sociopathic version of James Bond with a six pack; here, he breaks the mold, displaying vulnerability and humanity in the face of the brutal deeds he’s forced to commit. He becomes believable as a survivor, someone who isn’t cut out for the drug business but must play the game anyway.
The only troubling plot device was the use of Sienna Miller as Tammy. Aside from her physical appeal, I’ve enjoyed her work a number of times, particularly in Steve Buscemi’s film Interview. Here, however, she is only given perhaps three scenes to work with, and in spite of her screen presence it is difficult to believe that after meeting her once in a club XXXX is immediately willing to cross the drug lords he works for. It was a tricky pill to swallow, but still a sweet one.
On the other hand, I have to take a moment to mention Ben Whishaw — who, like Miller, was terribly underused but totally scene stealing and memorable. As Sidney, the naïve nephew of a drug lord, Whishaw actually gets to play a role unique to his career: a somewhat comedic one. Gone is the quiet, pensive young man; instead, he gets a character that is so dim and perhaps even pathetic that watching him sitting beside the brooding Daniel Craig can only be described as hilarious. Well done, my sweet Whishaw.
Layer Cake was a successful movie. I mean that it accomplished what it set out to accomplish and provided a fresh take on a genre that can sometimes be tiresome, guilty of playing up suavity and violence over subtlety. It was entertaining and gave me newfound appreciation of Daniel Craig and his blue, blue, blue eyes.
Here is a scene for you to enjoy, illustrating some of my points about Craig, Miller, and Whishaw:
FINAL GRADE: B+
hey Gretchen, your blog is awesome. i used to update mine a lot but haven't in a long time. i wanted to share this link with you because i thought it was really funny, it's a movie review called the hunt for the worst movie of all time. here's the one i just read:
ReplyDeletehttp://videogum.com/165611/the-hunt-for-the-worst-movie-of-all-time-down-to-you/franchises/the-hunt-for-the-worst-movie-of-all-time/