I know everyone is beyond psyched for “007: Quantum of Solace” to be released on Friday, Nov. 14, and there’s an amazing way to prepare for it by seeing the infamous new James Bond, Daniel Craig, in his original bad-ass role in “Layer Cake.” Although Craig came to most of the world’s attention with his standout performance in the UK television series “Our Friends in the North,” it’s “Layer Cake” that really showcases why he’s the Bond of our generation.
“Cake” follows modern-day cocaine dealers on the mean streets of London in the vein of popular British gangster films like “Snatch” and “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels” (“Cake” director Matthew Vaughn was a producer for both films). “Cake,” however, is immediately different upon its long and epic introduction. Craig’s character isn’t a common criminal, but a businessman, playing the games of life and planning for early retirement from the enterprise. It’s a much more enjoyable film that works better than Guy Ritchie’s gangster epics because it doesn’t try so hard to be witty and fill itself with sharp, quick dialogue.
The plot, though it has its rapid twists and turns, is very simplistic. It’s about a man that works for a boss who double-crosses him. Many different gangs go head to head, fist to fist, and he simply tries to get through the rough patches with as few bruises as possible and still wind up victorious in the end. Perhaps it doesn’t help that he ends up killing his own boss quite early in the film, but something has to ignite the conflict, right?
It’s an exciting plot that never drifts away from the main story and leaves you on the edge of your seat for the whole two-hour length.
Even without the brilliant performances, the amazing stylistic cinematography filled me with awe. Director Vaughn squeezes sweeping shots of epic proportions onto the screen.
In the introduction, you’ll immediately appreciate the thorough long shot through a modern-day drug store where all of the generic brands suddenly morph into different narcotics. Magnificent aerial shots and intense angles allow London to be filmed beautifully, rather than the dark dreary place we normally see in movies. The editing is plenty, but it’s smooth, simple and flawless.
So, too, is the whole movie. Every single role, down to the bum on the street corner with no lines, is perfectly cast. It is impossible to not get deeply involved in the main character’s dilemma, and indeed, I ended up legitimately hating the characters that stood in his way. The Duke (Jamie Forman) is one of those loud, boisterous and annoying drug dealers who thinks he’s untouchable. He and his bloody cousin, Sidney, help take their characters’ utterly irritating annoyance off the screen and onto the nerves of the audience.
Arguably one of the richest performances is by Michael Gambon, who you all know as Dumbledore in “Harry Potter.” He plays Eddie Temple, the man on top who will not be messed with. His wonderfully deep voice as he delivers a tirade on the facts of life at the end still resonates in my mind.
Finally, Daniel Craig delivers one fierce performance as the main character of the film with no name.
Every single time he’s on screen, he emits one of the most intense auras I’ve ever felt. Just like Marlon Brando or Angelina Jolie, he brings a dangerous sexual aspect to the screen that almost no other actors can work. He’s tender: we know he’s affected by all the crap that gets thrown his way, but he tries to hide any effects it should have on the untouchable man. Brilliance and depth are the only words that somewhat justify his complex performance.
The plot twists may leave you confused at times, but will come together and make sense at the end. The perfect combination of characters and conflicts meld together to knock your socks off and put you on the edge of the couch, nearly falling off. As the drug lord Eddie Temple says to the novice, “Welcome to the Layer Cake, son.”
