Layer Cake (2004)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Matthew Vaughn

Writers:

J.J. Connolly (screenplay)
J.J. Connolly (novel)

Release Date:

1 October 2004 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

A successful cocaine dealer gets two tough assignments from his boss on the eve of his planned early retirement.

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | Ecstasy | Cocaine | Cake | Drug Dealer

Awards:

3 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Daniel Craig	...	XXXX
Tom Hardy	...	Clarkie
Jamie Foreman	...	Duke
Sally Hawkins	...	Slasher
Burn Gorman	...	Gazza
Brinley Green	...	Nobby
George Harris	...	Morty
Tamer Hassan	...	Terry
Colm Meaney	...	Gene
Marcel Iures	...	Slavo
Francis Magee	...	Paul the Boatman
Dimitri Andreas	...	Angelo
Kenneth Cranham	...	Jimmy Price
Garry Tubbs	...	Brian
Nathalie Lunghi	...	Charlie
Marvin Benoit	...	Kinky (as Marvyn Benoit)
Rab Affleck	...	Mickey
Dexter Fletcher	...	Cody
Steve John Shepherd	...	Tiptoes
Ben Whishaw	...	Sidney
Sienna Miller	...	Tammy
Paul Orchard	...	Lucky
Stephen Walters	...	Shanks
Louis Emerick	...	Trevor
Darren Healy	...	Junkie 1
Matt Ryan	...	Junkie 2
Ivan Kaye	...	Freddie Hurst
Jason Flemyng	...	Larry - Crazy
Ben Brasier	...	Jerry - Klburn
Neil Finnighan	...	Troop
Michael Gambon	...	Eddie Temple
Budge Prewitt	...	Golf Host (as Budgie Prewitt)
Don McCorkindale	...	Albert Carter
Dragan Micanovic	...	Dragan
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
James Dodd	...	Principal Dancer (uncredited)
Steve Hooper	...	Couple Having Sex (uncredited)
Kinky Kerry	...	Couple Having Sex (uncredited)
Peter Rnic	...	Serbian Gangster (uncredited)
Lucy Wills	...	70's Party Girl (uncredited)

Directed by
Matthew Vaughn

Writing credits
J.J. Connolly		(screenplay)
J.J. Connolly		(novel)

Produced by
Adam Bohling	....	producer
Stephen Marks	....	executive producer
David Reid	....	producer
Matthew Vaughn	....	producer

Original Music by
Ilan Eshkeri
Lisa Gerrard

Cinematography by
Ben Davis		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Jon Harris

Casting by
Leo Davis
Jina Jay

Production Design by
Kave Quinn

Art Direction by
Steve Carter

Set Decoration by
Joanna Barrs		(as Jo Barrs)

Costume Design by
Stephanie Collie

Makeup Department
Fae Hammond	....	chief hair stylist
Fae Hammond	....	chief makeup artist
Maureen Hetherington	....	hair stylist
Maureen Hetherington	....	makeup artist
Pebbles	....	chief hair stylist
Pebbles	....	chief makeup artist
Karen Sherriff-Brown	....	hair stylist (as Karen Sherriff Brown)
Karen Sherriff-Brown	....	makeup artist (as Karen Sherriff Brown)
Dubi Preger	....	makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Jatinderpal Chohan	....	post-production supervisor
Luke Jackson	....	unit manager
Alain Lagger	....	production manager: Amsterdam
Clare Maclean	....	post-production supervisor
Emma Pike	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Michael Elliott	....	first assistant director (as Mike Elliott)
Samar Pollitt	....	third assistant director
David Reid	....	second unit director
Anthony Wilcox	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Chloe Boleyn	....	graffiti artist
Mick Boleyn	....	construction manager (as Michael Boleyn)
Sophie Boleyn	....	graffiti artist
Will Cann	....	stand-by props (as William Cann)
Nick Cosens	....	stand-by props
Noel Cowell	....	property master
Hannah Evans	....	assistant set decorator
Jonathan Holbrook	....	scenic painter
Martin Kane	....	props
Coralie Lew	....	assistant art director
Dale Manning	....	art department production assistant
Justin Overhill	....	stand-by painter
Matthew Parsons	....	scenic painter (as Mathew Parsons)
Sandra Phillips	....	assistant art director
Adrian Platt	....	dressing props
Will Pope	....	carpenter foreman
Nina Ross	....	assistant art director
John Watt	....	stand-by carpenter
Damian Butlin	....	dressing props (uncredited)
Damian Butlin	....	props (uncredited)
Craig Cheeseman	....	assistant property master (uncredited)
Andrew Palmer	....	art department runner (uncredited)
Stuart Read	....	dressing props: dailies (uncredited)

Sound Department
Paula Boram	....	foley artist (as Paula Borum)
Chris Burdon	....	sound re-recording mixer
Matthew Collinge	....	foley editor
Matthew Collinge	....	sound designer
Matthew Collinge	....	sound effects editor
Arthur Fenn	....	boom operator (as Arthur Turner)
Peter Gleaves	....	adr recordist
Ben Greaves	....	cable person
Tom Harrison	....	cable man
Simon Hayes	....	sound mixer
Robin Johnson	....	cable man
Daryl Jordan	....	assistant sound editor
Danny Sheehan	....	adr editor
Danny Sheehan	....	dialogue editor
Danny Sheehan	....	foley editor
Jason Swanscott	....	foley artist
Sven Taits	....	sound re-recording mixer
Alexander Beddow	....	adr recordist (uncredited)
Gareth Bull	....	foley recordist (uncredited)
Matthew Collinge	....	supervising sound editor (uncredited)
Hayden Collow	....	sound effects editor (uncredited)
Danny Sheehan	....	supervising sound editor (uncredited)
Ian Tapp	....	foley recordist (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Neal Champion	....	special effects supervisor
Matthew G. Armstrong	....	special effects assistant: dailies (uncredited)
Laurence Harvey	....	armourer (uncredited)
Nick P. Phillips	....	senior special effects technician (uncredited)
Edward Smith	....	special effects supervisor (uncredited)
Rob Tucker	....	special effects (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Michelle Camp	....	visual effects editorial
Jonathan Dredge	....	scanning and recording
Robert Duncan	....	visual effects supervisor (as Rob Duncan)
Mike Morrison	....	data operator
Joanna Nodwell	....	visual effects producer
Asa Shoul	....	colourist
Annabel Wright	....	digital lab operator
Doron Zar	....	digital grading assistant
Andy Burrow	....	scanning manager (uncredited)
Edward Xi Chen	....	data operator (uncredited)
James Clarke	....	visual effects (uncredited)
Paul Doogan	....	scanning, digital cleanup (uncredited)
Andrew Francis	....	HD mastering (uncredited)
Joe Godfrey	....	scanning, recording & digital cleanup (uncredited)
Dianne Gordon	....	data operator: Framestore CFC (uncredited)
Alistair Hamer	....	film mastering engineer (uncredited)
Jan Hogevold	....	production executive: Framestore CFC (uncredited)
Jack James	....	compositor (uncredited)
Kevin Lowery	....	scanning, recording & digital cleanup (uncredited)
Dan McRae	....	digital lab (uncredited)
Steve Parsons	....	visual effects: titles (uncredited)
Sirio Quintavalle	....	digital artist (uncredited)
Dave Robinson	....	systems engineer (uncredited)
Jeremy Sawyer	....	data operator (uncredited)
Matina Skouteri	....	digital lab operator (uncredited)
Maria Stroka	....	film recording producer (uncredited)
Paola Varvaro	....	digital cleanup artist (uncredited)
Stephen Willey	....	systems engineer (uncredited)
Aubrey Woodiwiss	....	digital cleanup (uncredited)

Stunts
Tom Aitken	....	stunts
Gary Connery	....	stunts
Bradley Farmer	....	stunts
Dean Forster	....	stunts
Andy Godbold	....	stunts
Paul Herbert	....	stunt coordinator
Rowley Irlam	....	stunts
James O'Donnell	....	stunts (as James O'Dee)
Seon Rogers	....	stunts (as Séon Rogers)
Nick Wilkinson	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
David Allain	....	video assistant
David Brown	....	chief lighting technician
Jeff Burden	....	electrician
Martin Duncan	....	assistant chief lighting technician
Kevin Fraser	....	grip equipment
Kevin Fraser	....	key grip
Shay Gallagher	....	stand-by rigger
Robert Gavigan	....	electrician
Phil Humphries	....	clapper loader
Lee Kemble	....	assistant grip
John Marzano	....	aerial camera operator
Guy Minoli	....	electrician
Steve Parker	....	director of photography: second unit
Clive Prior	....	focus puller
Alex Reid	....	focus puller: second unit
Mark Silk	....	underwater camera operator
Daniel Smith	....	still photographer
Greg Thomas	....	electrician
Simon Werry	....	aerial camera operator
Peter Wignall	....	Steadicam operator: "a" camera
Peter Wignall	....	camera operator
Matthew Dudding	....	focus puller: "b" camera (uncredited)
Leigh Gold	....	focus puller: dailies (uncredited)
Camille Griffin	....	clapper loader: second unit (uncredited)
Karl Hui	....	clapper loader: "b" camera (uncredited)
J. Glyn Williams	....	first assistant camera: aerial unit (uncredited)

Casting Department
Vanessa Baker	....	voice casting
Brendan Donnison	....	voice casting
Melissa Holm	....	casting assistant
Dixie Chassay	....	casting assistant (uncredited)
Julie Dunne	....	additional casting (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Mike Hodge	....	wardrobe master
Fiona Lucas	....	costume supervisor
Anna Palmgren	....	assistant costume designer
Gabrielle Spanswick	....	costume supervisor

Editorial Department
Hattie Dalton	....	assistant editor
Claire McGrane	....	digital intermediate producer
Jason Wheeler	....	negative cutter

Music Department
Patrick Cassidy	....	composer: additional music
Tom Chichester-Clark	....	music editor
Vic Fraser	....	music preparation
Liz Gallacher	....	music supervisor
Julian Kershaw	....	orchestrator
Richard Lancaster	....	music recordist
The London Metropolitan Orchestra	....	music performed by
Stephen McLaughlin	....	music producer (as Gohl/McLaughlin)
Andrew Raiher	....	music programmer
Alex Scannell	....	music recordist
Jeff Toyne	....	orchestrator
Andy Brown	....	music contractor (uncredited)
Andrew Raiher	....	musician: guitars (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Simon Barker	....	transportation captain
Ben Dillon	....	picture car coordinator

Other crew
Luke Boyle	....	assistant production coordinator
Chris Brouwer	....	production coordinator: Amsterdam
Stacy Crago	....	production assistant
Claudia Creebsburg	....	production secretary: Amsterdam
Eran Creevy	....	production assistant
Tina Falcone	....	assistant accountant
Kevin Freemantle	....	production accountant
Daniel Gill	....	production assistant (as Dan Gill)
Rob Grundy	....	armorer
Mary Haddow	....	script supervisor
Stewart Hamilton	....	floor runner
Russell Hasenberg	....	production runner
Carrie Johnson	....	unit nurse
Diane Kelly	....	unit publicist
Piet-Hein Luykx	....	office manager: Amsterdam
Tarquin Pack	....	production assistant
Carlos Peres	....	production assistant
Thomas Rohde	....	production assistant: Amsterdam
Sanne Rosinga	....	production assistant: Amsterdam
Suzie Shearer	....	production coordinator
Rubin Snitslaar	....	location scout: Amsterdam
Eddie Standish	....	location manager
Anastasia Timeneys	....	production secretary (as Ana Timenys)
Alex Warder	....	assistant production coordinator
Nick Williams	....	floor manager
Marc Wolff	....	aerial coordinator
Marc Wolff	....	pilot
John Charles	....	software engineer: Sony DAC (uncredited)
Roger Phillips	....	end titles (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Sony Pictures Classics (presents)
• Marv Films (as MARV Films)

Distributors

• Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) (2004) (worldwide) (all media)
• Columbia TriStar Film Distributors (2004) (UK) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Classics (2005) (USA) (theatrical)
• Barbar Film (2005) (Turkey) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2005) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Nordisk Film Distributors A/S (2005) (Norway) (theatrical)
• Falcon (2005) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Filmhouse (2005) (Mexico) (theatrical)
• Gaumont/Columbia TriStar Films (2005) (France) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Releasing (2005) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Films de Argentina (2006) (Argentina) (all media)
• Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (2005) (UK) (DVD)
• LK-TEL (2006) (Argentina) (DVD)
• LK-TEL (2006) (Argentina) (VHS)
• RTL Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (TV) (first national airing) (RTL7)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Sony Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures (2005) (Norway) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Special Effects (GB) (special effects)
• Framestore CFC (visual effects)

Other Companies

• Anvil Post Production  foley recording
• Hyperactive Broadcast  editing equipment
• AFM Lighting  lighting
• Abbey Road Studios  music recorded at
• Arion Facilities  dailies telecine transfers
• De Lane Lea Sound Centre  sound re-recorded at (as De Lane Lea)
• Director's Film Company  production services: Amsterdam
• EMI Records  soundtrack released by
• Flying Pictures  aerial filming services provided by
• Frameline Productions Ltd.  end titles (as Frameline)
• Framestore CFC  digital film grading
• Framestore CFC  post-production
• Gearbox Sound and Vision  additional ProTools systems supplied by
• Global Music Service  music copyist
• Hammerhead Television Facilities  steadicam equipment
• Jason Wheeler Film Services  negative cutting
• Joe Dunton & Company  camera equipment provided by (as JDC)
• Kodak  motion picture film supplied by
• Pepper Post Production  preview conform and grade
• Phaze UK  sound supervision
• Sargent Disc  production services (as Sargent-Disc Ltd.)
• The North Pole  music mixed at
• Wood Hall Catering  catering

Also Known As:

L4yer Cake (Ireland: English title) (DVD box title) (UK) (DVD box title) (USA) (DVD box title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong brutal violence, sexuality, nudity, pervasive language and drug use.

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Romanian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS (US prints) | DTS

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Argentina:16 | USA:R (certificate #40603) | South Korea:18 | Malaysia:18PL (DVD) | Japan:R-15 | Portugal:M/16 | Netherlands:16 | Australia:MA | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Ontario) | Czech Republic:15 | Germany:16 | Ireland:18 | Italy:T | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Singapore:M18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | Finland:K-15 | France:-12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Brazil:18

Filming Locations:

1 West India Quay, Isle of Dogs, London, England, UK

Company:

Sony Pictures Classics

Trivia:

Guy Ritchie was in place to direct but other commitments meant he had to drop out.

Goofs:

Continuity: When XXXX and Gene are drinking whiskey at Gene’s flat, XXXX fills the glass closest to him first, but when the camera switches through the table, the glass closest to him is empty and he has filled up Gene’s glass first.

Quotes:

[first lines]
XXXX: When I was born, the world was a far simpler place. It was all just cops and robbers.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Top Gear: (2006-06-04)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

You Got the Love

A nice slice of brit gangsters

The trailers to Layer Cake left me with mixed feelings. Usually when a trailer needs to draw reference to 'one's we made earlier' (in this case Lock, Stock, and Snatch) when the writer or director of said films has nothing to do with the project, the end result is a poor copycat. After watching the film, I am more than impressed!

Layer Cake introduces us (once more) to the world of the cockney gangsters, and the dealing of drugs. The medication of choice this time is Ecstacy, and the set up involves an up-and-coming name in the dealing trade being thrown a job by one of the big names. Sent to find a missing girl, and also buy and sell on a large shipment, it all seems like easy work. However, as he soon finds, things are not always as they seem, and before long his life is at risk when the deal begins to go sour.

For the first 20 minutes of the film I couldn't decide whether it was going to be a Lock, Stock, or Honest (the dreadful All Saints film). The film uses the obligatory 'catchy' tunes from the past 2 decades, and uses the same type of framing of scenes as the genre. For the first 20 minutes, whilst we were introduced rapidly to the characters in the tale, it was hard to discern where the plot was going, and even harder to care much about the players. By the half way point I was engrossed! The plot twists and turns at various points throughout, and you do begin to care about the lead character and the associates around him.

The film oozes cockney cool, and although not quite on par with the best of the genre, it is still a worthy, and very engrossing, offering from director Matthew Vaughn. Stylishly shot, with a great soundtrack, this is one of those films that blokes will walk out of very pleased, but their partners may not feel the same way. Whilst not really violent or sexist in nature, this is a lads film through and through, and it is one cake that I want another slice of.