Layer Cake
I love crime dramas. The Godfather Trilogy, Trainspotting, Snatch, Lock Stock and Two
Smoking Barrels, The Usual Suspects, Narc, Dark Blue, LA Confidential and most recently
Layer Cake never cease to entertain me. I'm sure this isn't unique but that doesn't diminish my
enjoyment of them.
I think Hollywood could stand to learn much from the enthusiastic reception of this genre in
popular culture. Having just watched Layer Cake, I can't help but imagine that by today's
standards, when 'cheap' flicks are those that cost $65 million for wide distribution, this movie
was relatively inexpensive to produce. There were no huge explosions, car chases or
computer graphics. There was, however, a solid script with a good story, an excellent cast,
crisp cinematography and superior direction. In fact, though Guy Ritchie (yes, Madonna's
husband) was in line to direct this flick but for an unknown reason didn't, I can't say I missed
him. In fact, I was relieved because his minimal involvement, if any, in the project made sure
that he wouldn't feel compelled to put his once hot, marginally-talented and severely delusional
wife in the picture. For that, we owe him thanks.
Layer Cake had quite a few double-crosses but I was still surprised and impressed on a
number of occasions, though I became expectant of the next bit of intrigue. There was one
hole in this plot though that, as I am fairly knowledgeable about the laws concerning narcotics,
really bugged me. There's a scene when the one million ecstasy tablets are seized by the
police, only to be returned to the protagonist by his corrupt cop friends in the department.
What I don't understand is how these corrupt cops were supposed to have explained the
disappearance of these one million ecstasy tablets? If you can think of something reasonable,
let me know. They test that stuff so one million aspirins wouldn't suffice as a decoy.
As this movie is based on a book, I placated myself with the thought that the book most likely
explains this part in a less abrupt and more believable manner. However, it may not.
Regardless, the fact that this entire movie becomes the cinematic equivalent of a 'Dutch oven'
in the last thirty seconds totally makes it an instant classic.
I love crime dramas. The Godfather Trilogy, Trainspotting, Snatch, Lock Stock and Two
Smoking Barrels, The Usual Suspects, Narc, Dark Blue, LA Confidential and most recently
Layer Cake never cease to entertain me. I'm sure this isn't unique but that doesn't diminish my
enjoyment of them.
I think Hollywood could stand to learn much from the enthusiastic reception of this genre in
popular culture. Having just watched Layer Cake, I can't help but imagine that by today's
standards, when 'cheap' flicks are those that cost $65 million for wide distribution, this movie
was relatively inexpensive to produce. There were no huge explosions, car chases or
computer graphics. There was, however, a solid script with a good story, an excellent cast,
crisp cinematography and superior direction. In fact, though Guy Ritchie (yes, Madonna's
husband) was in line to direct this flick but for an unknown reason didn't, I can't say I missed
him. In fact, I was relieved because his minimal involvement, if any, in the project made sure
that he wouldn't feel compelled to put his once hot, marginally-talented and severely delusional
wife in the picture. For that, we owe him thanks.
Layer Cake had quite a few double-crosses but I was still surprised and impressed on a
number of occasions, though I became expectant of the next bit of intrigue. There was one
hole in this plot though that, as I am fairly knowledgeable about the laws concerning narcotics,
really bugged me. There's a scene when the one million ecstasy tablets are seized by the
police, only to be returned to the protagonist by his corrupt cop friends in the department.
What I don't understand is how these corrupt cops were supposed to have explained the
disappearance of these one million ecstasy tablets? If you can think of something reasonable,
let me know. They test that stuff so one million aspirins wouldn't suffice as a decoy.
As this movie is based on a book, I placated myself with the thought that the book most likely
explains this part in a less abrupt and more believable manner. However, it may not.
Regardless, the fact that this entire movie becomes the cinematic equivalent of a 'Dutch oven'
in the last thirty seconds totally makes it an instant classic.
