Layer Cake (2004)

Stars	User	Rating
5	Spunkie	70 _84th
This one was a total surprise for me. A good tick-tocking script if not on the edge of coldness just Like Craig's steel stare. Maybe a bit cheesy on the end. One of the best of its kind around.
4	SirStuckey	75 _67th
At one point the cable of my old roommate and I was messed up and we could only watch what was on our DVR for like 3 weeks until we stopped being lazy and actually called to get it fixed. The only things on our DVR was Layer Cake and the episode of It's Always Sunny where they have to win a dance competition to keep their bar. The episode was better than Layer Cake but it was still good enough to be worth a few watches in a few weeks time.
3	Tripwyre	80 _76th
Vaughn's debut film makes for one hell of a first impression. The movie is a lot of fun, despite its convoluted plot. Vaughn's slick visual style is a big reason for that (an opening scene at a pharmacy is a joy to watch), as is a steely but charming Daniel Craig in the role that made him an obvious choice for Bond. The script might be better off if Connolly were not adapting his own novel, as he seems reluctant to cut subplots that mess up the flow of the film. Still, lots of fun. Great ending.
3	Leonardis	88 _59th
Threw this in after learning it was directed by Matthew Vaughn. He's a pretty talented director. He kind of feels like a less artistic Danny Boyle. That's not a bad thing though. Craig turns in a good performance in his pre-James Bond era and the supporting cast is quite good too, and there is something about angry English people yelling that makes me happy. Great music, direction, and unpredictable writing make this a well paced, very entertaining movie.
2	lachapelle	93 _92nd
I admit it, I love British heist movies. And this is where I gained an appreciation of Daniel Craig. (Colm Meaney is also very very good). Layer Cake is one of the best of the genre, and the name is a fitting title.
2	Cowman	75 _75th
A cold and exciting crime movie with an unpredictable plot that grabs your attention in every scene. A highly stylized and flashy movie accompanied by a modern and outstanding soundtrack. In this movie it's clear why they picked Daniel Craig to be the next Bond. Sometimes hilarious, sometimes a hard-boiled, ice-cold criminal.
2	Barthalen	78 _74th
Even though the second half drags in parts and the story is not super engaging, I enjoyed myself throughout. I'm just a sucker for British gangster movies, and this one sure looks pretty, oozes with cool and had some great shots. I liked how low-key it was. Some might call it dull, I was just glad not to be forced to watch another super-hip-Guy-Ritchie-copycat.
2	NadiH	86 _66th
very slick crime movie with Daniel Craig at his very best. Also great little performance by Michael Gambon.
2	Ocelot	55 _45th
a lovely tech demo, demonstrating high-quality assets capable of use in other movies. you've got some glossy color-grading for other mid-00's crime films, a familiar but not too familiar dance heavy soundtrack, and a highly posable Daniel Craig, complete with piercing blue eyes. great for secret agents! this movie is fine, but I'd have enjoyed it a lot more as a smart 14 year old or an extremely stupid adult. that's not to say you're dumb if you like it. but if you ARE dumb, it's great!
2	oldgoat	72 _57th
While decent and solid, feels like the poor man's better movies of the genre as there's not enough to distinguish itself.
2	acyberexile	81 _58th
layer cake; a very british crime movie came at a time when my interest towards the british cinema was peaked. it satisfies the needs of the viewer to see a layered plot (hence the name) and a set of smart dialogues; standard fixtures for a crime movie. it does not do anything beyond that, it knows its limits and does a bloody good job within them. even though the plot stumbles a bit from time to time, brilliant acting and an intelligent director overwrites these simple faults.
2	simplicio	87 _86th
The best work in the genre. Craig's unnamed man finds himself surrounded by maniac Guy Ritchie-style gangsters, and tries to play it all business. The strength of it lies in his steady course through the madness, watching him scramble back to the surface at the points he becomes totally submerged. Lovely cinematography, great use of a limited budget and an independent streak unafraid to get a little tangential in order to further the characters.
2	Paxton	78 _83rd
I have particular tastes in women that Sienna Miller does not fit. Not saying she isn't pretty, just isn't my type. I also feel that when a woman is smoking, she knocks herself down a good two points on a one to ten scale. That being said, when she is dancing and Daniel Craig has her boyfriend in his ear, with the two points removed, I'd say she's an eleven.
1	silencer	82 _62nd
Cool story and Craig is great as usual.
1	CatScandal	52 _23rd
generic crime thriller trying to be more. even at its most philosophical it's still just babbling about the drug trade which it's not a particularly accurate depiction of. the score is terribly mismatched as well. a few points for nice visuals.
1	CloseFriend	98 _99th
Some things go together perfectly: Mifune & Kurosawa; superheroes & art deco; raspberries & white chocolate; lamb & rosemary... Thanks to this film, I now add to that list "British crime thriller" and "trip-hop soundtrack."
1	Boyd Crowder	80 _59th
lighthearted & cool british gangster film, I wish there was more of that sort. lots of great actors on board, and well ... nice ending!
1	Difontaine	86 _90th
Exactly the antidote required to all the la-di-dar Richie-esque bollucks seen over the last 10 years.
1	tenhas	80 _71st
xxxx
1	frederic_g54	7 _57th
The film could've benefited from tighter editing, but it serves up a neat script full of intriguing twists and turns set against a stylish multi-character canvas which turned it into a moderately exciting yet engaging thriller. I had a nice time with this one and Craig is particularly good. Nice soundtrack too.
1	mistersplice	75 _77th
7+ highly recommended
1	td888	50 _42nd
It's all a bit too contrived, but still enjoyable nonetheless.
1	andayb	60 _46th
Layer Cake is a confused movie, tries too hard to be a ritchie movie at first, then tries even more to differentiate itself. it's a got a plot all right, but it is convoluted, and the hyperinflation of characters gets quite confusing towards the end. Craig is good, and the film's worth watching, but lacking the humor and the zap of Ritchie, Layer Cake remains a good imitation at best.
1	Ofterdingen	75 _87th
Manage to feel original (even though everything is familiar Guy Ritchie territory) thanks to a good cast and a formidable drive.
1	garethm	94 _94th
This makes you wonder if Matthew Vaughn was the true genius behind lock stock and snatch as this film follows on in a similar style with an excellent plot filled with unpredictability to the very end and those big tunes which compliment some memorable movie sequences perfectly . Massively better than anything Guy Ritchie has produced since and Daniel Craigs impressive leading performance must have played a large part in him being chosen as James Bond.
1	Jeb	80 _64th
An unpredictable and enthralling crime thriller debut from Vaughn and starring the ravishing British actor Daniel Craig, who would later accept more serious roles eventually as James Bond. It is every bit as flashy, daunting and conventionalized as its counterparts and influences (Guy Ritchie), and the visuals are marvelous and quite immaculately elaborate. The gritty plotline is also full of an assortment of ragged corners and sharp twists. The ending is also astounding. A great film overall.
1	Obdurate	77 _58th
Very Gut Ritchie-like, with a strong performance by Daniel Craig. This movie moves along at a good pace, with some interesting twists and turns along the way. Also; the ending is abrupt and awesome. Some of the musical choices didn't work for me though. Stylish and fun, watch it.
1	TV+Film-Hub	7 _40th
I think the ending was an attempt at trajic irony, but it came off more like scary-movie corny.
1	Kalmah7	81 _69th
Ton of fun.
1	getmoney	86 _81st
Matthew Vaughn can do no wrong.
1	DarkCloud	87 _75th
Ah, good old British movie. Stay at it, lads.
1	Okkervil	69 _65th
"Layer Cake" is no classic, but it is certainly engaging. Vaughn is a versatile director.
1	Gatt	98 _94th
I'm glad I saw this before Daniel Craig really took off. The scene where Morty starts unexpectedly beating the guy in the cafe is amazingly shot. I love how the sound changes from each camera's perspective.
1	leekenn	80 _68th
Seriously good crime thriller. All sorts of great characters, plot details and scenes.
1	netmonk	88 _72nd
I might have liked this better if I hadn't stopped halfway and waited two months to finish it (my girlfriend didn't want to see the rest). Extremely stylish, well made movie with a great character and intricate plot well told. Almost too well told - the transitions and storytelling are so stylish they at times become distractions. Not as good as the director's next (the amazing "Kick Ass"), but worth a watch.
1	Hanky Panky	80 _86th
Great ending!
1	jeff_v	70 _64th
Most of the British gangster movies in the wake of Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels have been either inane & flippant Tarantino wanna-bes, or grim exercises is boredom. Layer Cake is thankfully neither. Its complex plot continuously places the viewer in a situation where he must reassess (as the protagonist does) the balance of power. It's an interesting movie from scene to scene, even if the ending unsatisfactorily seems De Palma-ish.
1	jezzicuh	85 _70th
Love European caper movies, and this one is no exception.
1	Talvitie	100 _98th
Probably the best movie of Daniel Craig. The movie haves crazy gangsters, surprising twist, great story and good action.
1	byoungson	91 _88th
Brilliant crime/drugs movie.
1	misterlizard	70 _72nd
Nice British crime thriller that's more grounded than the Shane Ritchie-style ironically-hip "cockney capers" gangster movies. Craig is perfect for the leading role, backed by strong performances from Meaney and Gambon. It's somewhat darker in tone than many similar movies, with a rich vein of black humour. Well worth the time.
1	tritwo1	70 _27th
If you can follow their british accents, it provides an entertaining action movie
1	Schnaithman	90 _0th
Very clever, but the ending really bummed me out...Although it did add to the over all effect of the movie
1	acornley	50 _69th
Had To watch it for media studies and really enjoyed it
1	gaby	70 _58th
Of all the Guy Ritchie-esque British crime films, this one is worth watching, although it rarely brings anything new to the table. Instead, it is just an enjoyable visceral experience, despite the lazy and sometimes a little too "film school"y writing.
1	KramYessev	71 _59th
Probably my least favourite of Vaughn's films, but still pretty good. It's not quite up there with similar films like "Snatch" (minus the comedy), and the plot does get a bit convoluted at times but there's plenty to entertain the viewer. The performances are solid, the plot is surprisingly well thought-out for the crime genre and the soundtrack is excellent. Vaughn may not be one of the great modern talents, but he's yet to put out a bad (or lacklustre,) film.
1	mattorama12	75 _77th
Daniel Craig is excellent in this role that I'm sure landed him the Bond gig. I can dig pretty much any British gangster flick, and this one is no exception. The script tries a little too hard at times, but overall hits its mark.
1	LookJabba...	8 _76th
Layer Cake is one of my favourite British crime dramas and it's a strong Directorial debut from Matthew Vaughn. It oozes style and visually it likens Guy Ritchie's 'Lock, Stock' & 'Snatch'. The screenplay, cinematography, editing, soundtrack, characters and plot are all great and the stellar cast is one of my favourites and is full of superb performances. Harris, Gambon, Whishaw, Miller, Meaney, Foreman and Gorman are all fantastic but it's an incredibly cool Daniel Craig that steals the show.
1	Geebers1421	93 _88th
One of the best movies that few people have heard of. Daniel Craig, before he became Bond (partly thanks to a scene from this film, that alone should make you want to see it) as an upper level drug connect. What really makes the film worth watching though is simply the beauty of the story, as layer upon layer is revealed, all leading to a jarring and unexpected ending that wraps up the movie in a stunning way and delivers a strong message that resonates with the viewer.
1	EmmaGlasgow	85 _40th
A superb tale with interesting characters. This thriller has fullfills though i think it is 20 minutes too long. One of the best British gangster films ever.
1	kito1	80 _89th
Stylish and interesting. Insightful narration.
1	luord	80 _88th
Excellent direction, cool performances by most of the cast and an unexpected ending make for one very entertaining caper.

Average Percentile 55.64% from 4175 Ratings