Layer Cake is the latest in a long line of British crime flicks, which was started off by Guy Richie's excellent 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels'. Despite claiming proudly on it's poster that this film is from the same producers as the aforementioned flick; Layer Cake lacks the exuberant fun element of Lock, Stock and although it's certainly not a dead loss; this is only a decent crime flick, as opposed to a must see. This film has been based on a book, and so as you might expect; it has rather more to say than Guy Richie usually does. The film outlines the hypocrisy and stupidity of the way that drugs and drug dealers are handled by the British government, while also delivering a streak of the age-old 'crime doesn't pay' idea, which is analysed by the way that our hero isn't able to up sticks and leave his old life of crime behind just like that. The film follows a man whose name is never mentioned. This guy has been dealing cocaine successfully for years, but wants to quit while he's still ahead. His efforts to do that are thwarted by his business contacts; as this guy can't get out if they wont let him.
The film is very slick and very glamorous, and it's portrayal of drug dealers is always done in a very positive light. This is offset by the way that the users are portrayed, but on the whole; this razzle-dazzle style that so many crime flicks go for doesn't interest me much. The downtrodden atmosphere that Lock, Stock created fit it's subject much better and is easier to relate to. Still, seeing the good-looking stars prance around glamorous settings does have it's own certain appeal. Up until about the hour mark, slight niggles aside - I was really enjoying Layer Cake. The film takes a downturn at about that point, however, when it's slightly confusing narrative used throughout the rest of the film goes into overdrive and cant really resolve itself. The ending also annoyed me, as it seemed like an attempt to be clever but came off as being more of a cop-out. Despite it's flaws, however, crime fans are bound to like this film. It has some good dialogue, it looks lovely and the way that it analyses the structure of the crime underworld is well done and, mostly, interesting.
The film is very slick and very glamorous, and it's portrayal of drug dealers is always done in a very positive light. This is offset by the way that the users are portrayed, but on the whole; this razzle-dazzle style that so many crime flicks go for doesn't interest me much. The downtrodden atmosphere that Lock, Stock created fit it's subject much better and is easier to relate to. Still, seeing the good-looking stars prance around glamorous settings does have it's own certain appeal. Up until about the hour mark, slight niggles aside - I was really enjoying Layer Cake. The film takes a downturn at about that point, however, when it's slightly confusing narrative used throughout the rest of the film goes into overdrive and cant really resolve itself. The ending also annoyed me, as it seemed like an attempt to be clever but came off as being more of a cop-out. Despite it's flaws, however, crime fans are bound to like this film. It has some good dialogue, it looks lovely and the way that it analyses the structure of the crime underworld is well done and, mostly, interesting.