Layer cake review

 Number 919 on the top 1000 films of all time is Matthew Vaughn's directorial debut - crime-drama Layer cake.

Daniel Craig plays the unnamed protagonist who is only known as XXXX. Thanks to his enforcer Morty (George Harris) and his liaison to the criminal underworld Gene (Colm Meaney,) he is a very successful drug dealer. Professional, sophisticated, with a strong moral code, and a healthy amount of money, he decides it's time to retire. However, his supplier - crime lord Jimmy Price (Kenneth Cranham) throws a spanner in the works by engaging him in one last job. Things only become more complicated when Jimmy's partner, Eddie Temple  (Michael Gambon) becomes involved.

This was a slick, funny and entertaining crime caper. Daniel Craig plays XXXX - the suave yet hypocritical dug-dealer who quickly becomes out of his depth - to a tee. This was a few years before he achieved international recognition as James Bond. And it was this performance that convinced producers, he would be a good successor for Pierce Brosnan. And I can understand why, he had all the style and charm that you would expect from the international man of mystery.

Layercake really seemed like it should have been directed by Guy Ritchie. It reminded me of his great British crime capers like Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels but without Jason Statham. It had the same dark humour, the same cartoonish violence, as well as a huge cast including some acting giants like Michael Gambon and Colm Meaney. I've seen him in a few different roles and he's always good. It also included a lot of up-and-coming actors who have gone on to big Hollywood careers like Burn Gorman, Ben Wishaw and Sienna Miller. Ben Wishaw was particularly good as the frenetic and hyper-active Sydney - nephew of Duke (Jamie Foreman) leader of a low-level gang.

Granted, the ending all became rather deep, profound and borderline pretentious which could have killed the whimsical tone of the film, but the final twist, which I won't spoil here, saved things. I did not see that coming.

Layercake was a very enjoyable crime caper. If you want to see Daniel Craig, before he became an international superstar, this is the film to watch.