A “masterpiece” movie that critics said paved the way for Daniel Craig to play James Bond has been hailed as one of the “best films ever made”. The British crime thriller dives deep into the gritty world of the drug trade, with Craig as a smooth and intelligent drug dealer who operates under the radar in London, and whose name is never revealed.
The protagonist’s plan is to retire early and clean, believing he’s successfully stayed above the messier, violent aspects of the underworld. But his boss, Jimmy Price, throws a spanner in the works by giving him two final complicated tasks. What follows is Craig’s descent into a chaotic layered web of gangsters, corrupt businesses and unexpected betrayals, which explains the film’s title, Layer Cake.
While 2004 is known for helping launch Daniel Craig’s career, for director Matthew Vaughn, it paved the way for him to direct hits like Kick-Ass, X-Men: First Class, and the Kingsman series.
On a Reddit board dedicated to the film, one user called it a “clever, dark, and funny tale on trying to escape yourself”, adding: “I can totally see why Bond was his. Seriously one of the most underrated films of the last 20 years.”
Another simply added: “It’s a masterpiece.”
On the film review website Rotten Tomatoes, where Layer Cake has an impressive score of 84%, one reviewer, Jeff B, said it was “one of the best crime films ever made”.
He added: “Matthew Vaughn, as a first-time director, uses some excellent shot making and editing techniques to keep it lively and interesting. If you liked the Godfather, you will love Layer Cake.”
A second reviewer added: “One of, if not best, British crime film of all time. An absolute must see.”
The film, which is an adaptation of J. J. Connolly’s 2000 novel of the same name, is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime and NOW.