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Movies / On DVD / Layer Cake
Layer Cake

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Layer Cake (2005)

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Reviews Counted:128

Fresh:103

Rotten:25

Average Rating:7.1/10

Consensus: A stylized, electric British crime thriller.

Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Synopsis: LAYER CAKE, a riveting thriller set in the drug underworld of the UK, marks the directorial debut of producer Mathew Vaughn (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch) and stars Daniel Craig, Colm... LAYER CAKE, a riveting thriller set in the drug underworld of the UK, marks the directorial debut of producer Mathew Vaughn (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch) and stars Daniel Craig, Colm Meaney, Kenneth Cranham, George Harris, Jamie Foreman, Sienna Miller and Michael Gambon. Sleek, well dressed and polite, our unnamed hero (Daniel Craig) is a consummate professional. Treating cocaine and ecstasy like any other commodity, he has made a fortune for himself by keeping his hands clean and staying under the radar. Having made the decision to retire, his aim is to break free from the world of crime, drugs and violence and live a simple, quiet life with the money he has amassed. But before this can happen, crime boss Jimmy Price (Kenneth Cranham) wants two last favors from him. First, he must track down the missing, drug addict daughter of powerful criminal Eddie Temple (Michael Gambon). Second, he must negotiate the sale of a huge shipment of ecstasy with The Duke (Jamie Foreman), a loose cannon petty crook playing well out of his league. What should be routine transaction is anything but and nothing goes according to plan. Instead, duplicity and hidden alliances become the order of the day, in a struggle for power that reaches from the crack dens of London to the highest ranks of British society. Quickly he learns he is part of a machine much greater than he imagined, and getting out won't be quite as easy as getting in. Sony Pictures Classics presents a Matthew Vaughn Production, LAYER CAKE, starring Daniel Craig, Colm Meaney, Kenneth Cranham, George Harris, Jamie Foreman, Sienna Miller and Michael Gambon. Written by author J.J. Connolly (adapted from his novel of the same name), the film is produced by Vaughn, David Reid and Adam Bohling. The Executive Producer is Stephen Marks, Director of Photography is Ben Davis, Editor is Jon Davis and Production Designer is Kave Quinn. [More]

Starring: Daniel Craig, Colm Meaney, George Harris, Jamie Foreman

Starring: Daniel Craig, Colm Meaney, George Harris, Jamie Foreman, Sienna Miller, Michael Gambon, Kenneth Cranham, Marcel Iures, Tom Hardy, Tamer Hassan, Sally Hawkins

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Director: Matthew Vaughn
Screenwriter: J.J. Connolly
Producer: Matthew Vaughn, David Reid, Adam Bohling
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

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Reviews for Layer Cake

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121 - 136 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
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Though more complex and intriguing than most American crime films, Layer Cake suffers from Matthew Vaugh's pedestrian direction and lack of visual style.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
04/28/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Although ultimately no less artificial than hyperactive laddie gangster flicks like Snatch ... just an uncommonly good one.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
04/28/05
Chris Barsanti
Chris Barsanti
Film Threat

Mayhem and drugs but with a lot more sty le than 'State Property II."

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
04/26/05
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

Matthew Vaughn's confident debut's reserved pace and composed nastiness lends the action a matter-of-fact menace.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
04/20/05
Nick Schager
Nick Schager
Slant Magazine

Nice look, but there's more promise than delivered goods.

Full Review Source: TheMovieChicks.com | comment Comment
04/19/05
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
TheMovieChicks.com

a must for those who like their tough talk delivered with an English accent

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
04/15/05
David Thomas
David Thomas
Filmcritic.com

Layer Cake always pulls itself up by its bootsraps whenever its energy threatens to flag.

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
04/10/05
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

Pulses with nasty thugs, cold-blooded crime lords, drug traffickers, blond seductresses, and a thumping suspense that can lead to head-cracking violence.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
04/07/05
Steven Rea
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer

Fast paced and complex, Layer Cake rewards those who pay attention.

Full Review Source: Three Movie Buffs | comment Comment
04/01/05
Scott Nash
Scott Nash
Three Movie Buffs

The film's style ... makes up for its difficult story.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
03/24/05
Rex Roberts
Rex Roberts
Film Journal International

It's a testament to the subdued style, the witty script and the colorful (but not too colorful) characters that we don't even realize the entire story is built on a cliché.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
02/20/05
Mark Keizer
Mark Keizer
Boxoffice Magazine

The [crap] may be out of control, but director Matthew Vaughn is firmly in it.

Full Review Source: AboutFilm.com | comment Comment
02/16/05
Carlo Cavagna
Carlo Cavagna
AboutFilm.com

An unusual crime thriller that feeds us the dynamic, edgy, and cataclysmic storyline that we hunger for.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
02/08/05
Melissa McGibbon
Melissa McGibbon
Film Threat

Craig proves that he's got the strength, sophistication and brawny sex appeal to carry 007's license to kill, if only Hollywood would consider the fair-haired hunk.

Full Review Source: Miami Herald | comment Comment
02/04/05
Peter Debruge
Peter Debruge
Miami Herald

As a whole, it just seems like we've seen it all before.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
02/01/05
Don R. Lewis
Don R. Lewis
Film Threat

Smartly put together, with interesting characters and caustic wit.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
10/19/04
Ray Bennett
Ray Bennett
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
121 - 136 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
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Latest News for Layer Cake

December 17, 2007: RT on DVD: The Simpsons, Stardust, and More!
This week the shelves are packed, and just in time for the holidays! Check out the long-awaited big-screen debut of Springfield's finest (The Simpsons Movie), Matthew Vaughn's... More...

August 08, 2007: Matthew Vaughn To Helm Thor
Ain't It Cool News recently caught up with director Matthew Vaughn for a chat about projects past (Layer Cake), present (Stardust), and future -- including a possible film... More...

June 14, 2007: Another Superhero Movie! "Thor" is Coming!
He's a Norse god with a giant hammer. Bring on the bad guys! More...

March 22, 2007: RT-UK Exclusive: Edit Suite Report and New Pics for "Stardust"
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