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Layer Cake
User Score
7.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 47
  3. Negative: 2 out of 47

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  1. fiona
    May 11, 2005
    9
    I found this to be a real gem, especially in the wake of the too-many-to-mention below par british gangster film flops we have been subjected to in this post-Lock Stock world we live in. Layer Cake is smart, stylish, sexy, witty, meticulously acted and intelligently directed. Daniel Craig excels, and more than proves his ability to hold a whole film together in a more mainstream production.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. PaulF.
    Jul 20, 2005
    6
    If you can solve the rubics cube in 30 seconds or less you might be able to keep up with this movie, personally I found it rathering confusing. For this I deduct whopping two points. I also lop off another point for a surprising but flawed ending. I left the teather thinking why did I bother seeing this movie. Well it did have a few redeeming qualities such as better than decent acting and good cinematography. But ultimately it lacked shen or spirit. It's an undescribable quality that a movie has or does not. This movie unfortunately did not so I take another point for this making this movie a 6 out of ten. It's really too bad because this movie could have been really good if they but just put a bit more thought into it. Rent it but save your 8 bucks or however much it costs in your area. We have a $1.50 movie theater an hour a way. It might be worth that. P.S. Usually critics are too harsh on movies this time they went the other direction but only by a point so I can't rag on them too much this time.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. MarcK.
    Jul 6, 2005
    5
    I'll have to agree with Shawn Levy of the Portland Oregonian. The movie was far too impressed with itself, and just became more and more convoluted as the film wore on. If I ever rent it on DVD, I'm going to switch on the English subtitles, so I can figure out what some of those characters with the strong accents were actually saying.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. yoluv.
    Oct 16, 2005
    9
    Excellent in it's complexity.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. cafegogoc.
    May 15, 2005
    6
    It's just "okay." You've seen this before - perhaps not as well acted - but there's nothing especially new here.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. JohnC.
    Jun 5, 2005
    9
    Stunning. Tough to follow. Cinematography is a joy to watch.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. BillD.
    Jun 8, 2005
    7
    I saw the movie, then I read the novel it's based on, and then I saw the movie again. It took every bit of that to figure out what was happening in this very confusing movie. Frankly, it wasn't worth the effort. The movie has style and interesting characters, but the story is, ultimately, old and familiar.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. johnp.
    Jun 9, 2005
    9
    Well acted. well shot. well writen. great directing. hard to follow at times with all the characters but still an amazing british crime thriller.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. JoeE.
    Jul 16, 2005
    3
    30 seconds into the movie: Oh, this wants to be a smart thriller. 30 minutes later: this isn't sexy beast. End: it ain't Sexy Beast, mate.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. TaylorS.
    Feb 3, 2007
    7
    It would have been a lot better if they connected the dots more and effectively concluded some of the points and scenes they were trying to accent.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. AdamC.
    Feb 4, 2008
    10
    too good
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  12. SantinoS
    Oct 11, 2005
    7
    Vaughn makes a good debut with this. Its much better than "Snatch." The plot is very complicated and theat is the best paer and hte acting is excellent specially from Craig. A sequql could be on the way.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  13. EdK.
    Jun 21, 2005
    9
    Layer Cake is, to me, the perfect movie: the characters are genuine and well acted; the plot is original; and there's some great action and cinematography. You have to listen carefully (at least I did) to the actors due to their accents, but the lead character is excellently portrayed. You can truly imagine him as a real guy just trying to eke out a reasonable living in a dangerous, unpredictable business. This is one I'll probably buy on DVD.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  14. [Anonymous]
    Jun 4, 2005
    10
    Best movie of 2005 as of June 1st. Exceptional acting combined with a smart, side-winding story that creates a fully engrossing film.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  15. Steve
    Jun 5, 2005
    7
    The movie is well acted but the plot is very similar to Carlito's Way.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  16. JeffJ.
    Aug 2, 2005
    5
    Too clever by half. While this movie is well crafted, with excellent acting, etc., it ultimately defeats itself by having about five too many plot twists -- and endings. I enjoyed most of it, but ended up leaving the theater feeling pissed off.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  17. ZigmundZ.
    Apr 14, 2006
    6
    Failed to grab me in the first ten minutes, which is always a bad sign. Scorsese or Tarantino wannabe. Craig is excellent, but, my God, we've seen this before, done much better. Film has a feel of trying really hard to be outrageous and irreverantly shocking, but just comes off as being mundane and boring. Watch Trainspotting or Reservoir Dogs again, you'll be better off.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  18. House
    May 22, 2006
    8
    Like a great rock song, Layer Cake hooks you early and never disappoints, rocking you until the final power chord of an ending. Daniel Craig is sensational supported by a cast that once again proves the UK has the best characer actors in the world.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  19. MarkS.
    Jul 12, 2006
    7
    This was pretty good. The lead actor was very good. But I didn't enjoy this nearly as much as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels or as much as Snatch. And the very end made the movie almost pointless, it angered me.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  20. JackT.
    Feb 19, 2008
    10
    The Greatest Gangster Thriller I have Ever Seen
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  21. WesM
    Jul 28, 2008
    10
    The ultimate synthesis of recent British crime classis; the seriousness, characterization and aesthetics of Sexy Beast and the loopy, multilayered plotting and style of Lock Stock... and Snatch. Very highly recommended.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  22. HenryW
    Dec 18, 2005
    6
    It's got a good level of ambience but it feels far too smug. The plot seems to have been Snatched from Carlito's Way as well.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  23. MarcD.
    May 16, 2005
    8
    Amazing supporting performances.... Good flick. Probably the best thing out there right now.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  24. ganeshv.
    May 18, 2005
    8
    One of the best ever...mathew vaughn has now proven himself to be not only a good producer but also an excellent director...hilarious scenes...great plot...very good dialogues...some were pretty hard to follow in the beginning but later as the movie reveals its real self...u'll love it...a very detailed but comical approach to a crime genre...long live crime movies...thanks to some great directors.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  25. KishoreK.
    May 25, 2005
    10
    Its a classic gangster thriller. Film holds your the attention and makes you think while watching and after it.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  26. FabienL.
    Nov 28, 2005
    9
    All is good in this movie: great cast, great story, great tempo, perfect tempo: from start to finish. A movie you can see again and again.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  27. AngelaB.
    Dec 26, 2007
    8
    Daniel Craig was great, and I wanted to see his work before James Bond. Good writing and dialogue, but I have seen much of the style before. Nonethess, it was quite interesting, and I am glad I watched it.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  28. Justinavery7074
    Oct 11, 2011
    7
    Somewhat great, but a great predecessor to Matthew Vaughn's hollywood masterpieces. Once again, you get to see the pure brilliance and genius of Matthew Vaughn. I **** love that talented bastard.
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Chris Barsanti
    70
    The writing is crisp and deeply layered, and the filmmakers gave themselves a rich array of actors to work with.
    Read full review
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Ray Bennett
    80
    Smartly put together, with interesting characters and caustic wit.
    Read full review
  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Leslie Felperin
    80
    There's a proper lived-in believability about Layer Cake's depiction of how the worlds of the rich, the criminal and the criminally rich intersect.
    Read full review
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