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| Movie Review: Layer Cake Alternate Title: No Honor Among Thieves
Story: If you like stylish,
dark, at times comic, often violent, British films
about the gangster underworld and don't mind missing some of the dialogue
because of thick English accents - then this film is for you. The main character is a cocaine drug dealer,
whose position is somewhere in the middle of the criminal hierarchy.
He is smooth, careful and has a plan to get out of the racket but of
course, the best laid plans usually go awry. He is called upon by the
boss for one last job and the shit hits the fan. Double crosses, triple
crosses and more plot twists and turns than you can imagine come rolling
across the screen. You must pay attention if it all is to make sense
by the end of the film. It is the directorial debut of producer Matthew
Vaughn (Lock, Stock and Smoking Barrel and Snatch)
and is based on the novel and script by JJ Connelly.The
writing is tight, fast paced and the cinematography graphically interesting.
The scenes are mostly filmed in steely blues and grays except for some
startling scenes with intense color. A nice contrast, indeed. Acting: One of my new favorites is Daniel
Craig. He is smooth, intense and quite a physical presence
onscreen. There is rumor that he is on the short list of potential James
Bonds. Michael Gambon is always good. The entire ensemble
is right on the money and a special mention goes to Colm Meaney
(Miles O'Brien of Star Trek) who actually has a life after
the much beloved series. Predilection: I like Daniel Craig.
Food: One violent scene is preceded by a very large
breakfast of eggs, bacon, beans and fries.
Soundtrack: A snappy bunch of tunes including some
by The Rolling Stones, Duran Duran and the The Cult.
Opening Titles: A clever introduction to our main
character.
Theater Audience: Only three other people.
Squirm Scale: There are a few violent scenes that
might make you squirm. Crime is not pretty.
Drift Factor: Drifting is not a good idea in this
fast paced multi layered tale.
Predictability Level: I was surprised at the ending.
Oscar Worthy: No
Nit Picking: Subtitles would have been a good addition
during parts of the film.
Big Screen or Rental: Probably rental would be fine.
For some other Daniel Craig films try renting: Enduring
Love, Sylvia, The Mother, Road to Perdition, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,
I Dreamed of Africa, Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis
Bacon, Elizabeth: The Virgin Queen and The Power of One.
Length: Under two hours
LOBO HOWLS: 7
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