Layer Cake: Review

Layer Cake is a 2004 British crime thriller film directed by Matthew Vaughn, in his directorial debut. The screenplay was adapted by J. J. Connolly from his novel of the same name. It stars Daniel Craig as “XXXX”, the anonymous protagonist of the film, who is an established drug dealer; having routed himself in the London criminal underground. On the surface the film looks exactly like any other British Gangster movie, a popular sub-genre during the period of release (2004), having to compete with such films as; “Snatch” and “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”. However it manages to set itself apart with key themes that differ from traditional genre conventions, Craig’s character is not “East-End Hard man” who would bash your head in for looking at him, his character abhors violence and only does so to further his own agenda; his plan throughout the film is to make a “Clean Mill” and retire.

Of course this does not go over so swimmingly, causing the protagonist to have to dirty his hands and clean up messes he did not make. What is interesting in the marketing of the film is that it presents itself as the aforementioned, clichéd, British Crime thriller in its advertisement. Showing Daniel Craig’s character often holding the boss and looking like the leader of a crime syndicate. I think this has to do with that this type of genre was very much the “Flavour of the month” and although Layer Cake is different in many aspects it would like to present itself like any other film to draw in audiences, this looks odd having watched it eleven years on as it does do a competent job of distinguishing itself from the similar films of that time.

In conclusion, Layer Cake is a smart and much more grounded take on the popular “British Gangster” movie, favouring clever plot devices and strong character development; rather than Grandiose gun fights were the hero’s “Plot armour” is so thick that they’re able to take down the rival gang all by themselves. Craig’s character is very much portrayed as the smart, and business minded individual just attempting to make money and move on. They even demonstrate the character weakness on many occasions as he is often overpowered by stronger and more traditional genre characters.

La Haine Analysis

The film is made in 2005 and directed by Mathieu Kassovitz, it follows 24 hours in the lives of three Parisian teenagers who come from a “Ghetto” in the French suburbs. It shows their interactions with a Racist and oppressive police force, after their friend Abdel is sent to hospital at the police’s hands a riot ensues. This is the catalyst for the events to come as Vinz finds a police offers lost gun and vows to “Kill a cop” should his friend die due to the beating he received by the police. La Haine stands as a portrait of a broken social system and acts as a social commentary to the events and the tension within France as a whole. The story has two perspectives, although the three main characters are criminals you can identify with their struggle due to the polices apparent corruption, this makes Vinz vow to kill any cop seem more fair as by his judgement the police treat them the same way, indiscriminately being aggressive and violent toward them; he feels justified to treat them the same way.

The black and white colour pallet of the film is clearly an artistic choice, a commentary perhaps, to show the similarities between the boys as in this form skin colour is less pronounced and shows that we are all the same at the root of it. In my opinion the black and white doesn’t particularly enhance the film as it does not allow me to appreciate the cinematography to a greater degree as one facet of inspection is not present and makes it hard for me to compare similar shots in other films to this one, colour for me is important as I feel it enhances a film; which is why it is the more popularly chosen maiden for modern film. All though with this film the colour is less necessary as it also tells of the dreary grey and white cement buildings they live in.

There is strong characterization throughout the film and this is ever present in the changing of the character over time, once the shocking news report comes out about Abdel’s death Vinz uses his murderous rage to confront a gang of Skinheads that have attacked his friends. He hold a gun to one’s head and drags him down an alley, the scene that follows shows how the character has evolved over the course of the film. There is great emotional build up as the skinhead begs for his life, the camera flicks between Vinz and the skinhead, their faces mirrored of each other as they both are twisted with fear.

In conclusion the film shows the broken system present within Paris, and leaves us with the question of has it changed?