Layer Cake Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A cocaine dealer just trying to retire gets caught up in a mess of stolen drugs and missing persons, proving that even meticulous planning can’t stop a bad day from ending with a surprise bullet.

🍿 Layer Cake: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Dealer’s Ambition

The film introduces XXXX (Daniel Craig), a successful cocaine dealer in London who operates more like a businessman than a gangster. He prides himself on his meticulous approach and aims to retire early with his earnings. XXXX prefers to keep a low profile and avoid violence, focusing on maintaining profitable and discreet operations.

Two Last Jobs

On the verge of retirement, XXXX is tasked by his boss, Jimmy Price (Kenneth Cranham), with two seemingly simple assignments. First, he must locate Charlie Ryder (Nathalie Lunghi), the missing drug-addicted daughter of powerful crime lord Eddie Temple (Michael Gambon). Second, he’s to oversee the purchase of one million ecstasy pills from a low-level criminal known as ‘The Duke’ (Jamie Foreman).

Complications Arise

XXXX quickly discovers that these last jobs are far more complicated than they appear. The ecstasy pills were stolen from a ruthless Serbian gang, putting XXXX in the crosshairs of Dragan (Dragan Micanovic), a brutal assassin. Meanwhile, the search for Charlie leads XXXX into a web of deceit and danger, revealing deeper secrets within the criminal underworld.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• XXXX (Daniel Craig): A calculating cocaine dealer aiming for retirement whose plans are derailed by complex assignments.
• Eddie Temple (Michael Gambon): A powerful crime lord and Eddie’s old pal that seeks help from Jimmy Price to find his missing daughter.
• Jimmy Price (Kenneth Cranham): The protagonist’s boss and supplier who gives him two tough assignments on the eve of his planned retirement.
• Tammy (Sienna Miller): Sidney’s sexy girlfriend and Eddie’s connection, who becomes involved with XXXX.
• Duke (Jamie Foreman): A small-time gangster who steals a million ecstasy tablets, creating a volatile situation.
• Gene (Colm Meaney): Jimmy Price’s trusted right-hand man who serves as a liaison and enforcer.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Eddie Temple: “You’re born, you take shit. You get out in the world, you take more shit. You climb a little higher, you take less shit. Till one day you’re up in the rarefied atmosphere and you’ve forgotten what shit even looks like. Welcome to the layer cake, son.” – Eddie explains the levels of the criminal world to XXXX, highlighting the struggles and eventual detachment from the harsh realities.
• XXXX: “I’m a businessman. My commodity happens to be cocaine.” – XXXX uses this quote to describe how he views his own occupation.
• XXXX: “The art of survival is to make sure that your way of life is not your way of death.” – XXXX reflects on the importance of planning an exit strategy from the dangerous criminal world.
• Gene: “It’s the twenty-first century. Who knows what people want?” – Gene says this when discussing the unpredictability of the drug market and changing tastes.

💰Box Office

• Budget: £4,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,339,957
• Worldwide Gross: $11,850,214

💥 Layer Cake Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this back when Daniel Craig was just ‘that guy’ before Bond, and it blew me away. The way it unfolds, the twists, and especially Craig’s performance – it’s just captivating. The scene where he calmly explains his business philosophy while chaos unfolds around him? Iconic. Plus, the soundtrack is killer. Definitely a film I revisit every few years, and it still hits hard.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of British crime thrillers.”
  • “Viewers who appreciate stylish direction and sharp dialogue.”
  • “Those interested in seeing Daniel Craig in a pre-Bond role.”
  • “Audiences who enjoy films with complex plots and moral ambiguity.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language.”
  • “Graphic violence.”
  • “Drug use.”
  • “Sexual content.”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Vaughn delivers a stylish and gritty crime thriller, elevated by Daniel Craig’s nuanced performance. While the plot occasionally meanders, the sharp dialogue and engaging characters make for a compelling watch. It’s a reminder of Craig’s versatility, showcasing his potential for the Bond role.
• Empire Magazine: “A complex and engaging crime drama, Layer Cake distinguishes itself from the Guy Ritchie-esque Brit-flicks with its focus on character and consequence. Craig is excellent, but it’s the supporting cast, including Gambon and Meaney, that truly elevate the film. It’s a smart, sharp, and surprisingly emotional ride.
• The Guardian: “Layer Cake is slick and entertaining, but ultimately lacks the depth to be truly memorable. While Vaughn demonstrates a strong visual style, the plot gets bogged down in unnecessary subplots. Craig shines as the reluctant gangster, but the film feels like a missed opportunity to explore deeper themes.

Audience Reactions

Daniel Craig’s cool and collected performance made me root for a drug dealer, which says a lot about his acting.: Daniel Craig’s performance as the unnamed protagonist is a standout, praised for its coolness and complexity.

The twists and turns kept me guessing until the very end; I never saw that ending coming!: The film’s intricate plot and unexpected twists are widely appreciated, keeping viewers engaged throughout.

Overall Consensus: Layer Cake is a stylish and engaging British crime thriller with standout performances, particularly from Daniel Craig, but the convoluted plot and sometimes predictable elements prevent it from reaching its full potential.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Daniel Craig’s performance in ‘Layer Cake’ is widely credited as the reason he was considered and ultimately chosen to be the next James Bond.”
• “Matthew Vaughn, who directed ‘Layer Cake’, was previously known as a producer for Guy Ritchie films like ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ and ‘Snatch’. This was his directorial debut.”
• “The film’s title, ‘Layer Cake,’ refers to the hierarchical structure of the criminal underworld, where individuals must navigate various levels to rise to the top.”

🖥️ How to Watch Layer Cake?

Layer Cake is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other major digital retailers. Check your local listings for broadcast schedules as it occasionally airs on cable networks. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Layer Cake, you might like these similar films:

• Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998): Another stylish British crime film with a complex plot and dark humor, produced by Matthew Vaughn, sharing a similar aesthetic and genre.
• Snatch (2000): Similar to ‘Lock, Stock’, ‘Snatch’ offers fast-paced action, memorable characters, and interconnected storylines within the British criminal underworld.
• The Long Good Friday (1980): A classic British gangster film dealing with a businessman-gangster facing betrayal and changing times.
• Carlito’s Way (1993): Like Layer Cake, Carlito’s Way is a crime drama where a protagonist wants to leave the drug business but cannot escape his past.

🛒 Layer Cake Related Products

• James Bond 007: Casino Royale [Blu-ray]: Experience Daniel Craig’s debut as James Bond in high-definition. See how ‘Layer Cake’ prepared him for the role, showcasing his action prowess and suave demeanor, features high octane action, and intriguing plot.
• Layer Cake: The Novel by J.J. Connolly: Delve deeper into the world of Layer Cake with the original novel that inspired the film. Experience the story through J.J. Connolly’s gritty prose and explore the characters and plot with greater detail.
• The Business (2005) [Blu-ray]: A similar film exploring the underbelly of the British crime scene.
• Layer Cake (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the atmosphere of Layer Cake with the original soundtrack. This album features a blend of electronic, rock, and pop tracks that perfectly capture the film’s mood and energy.

🎧 Soundtrack

Layer Cake features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Hayling” – performed by FC Kahuna
• “Ordinary World” – performed by Duran Duran
• “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” – performed by Joe Cocker

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Layer Cake: The Facts of Life

Ever wondered about the hidden meanings behind Layer Cake? This video breaks down a key scene and explores the movie’s deeper themes. Prepare to have your mind blown!

Best Movie Intro Ever: Layer Cake

Get ready to be blown away by the epic intro of Layer Cake! This video captures the essence of the movie and will leave you itching to watch it again.

✨ Rate