Layer Cake

Layer Cake, a metaphor for the many murky layers of the criminal world, is set in modern London and features smooth-talking sophisticated drug dealer "X" (Craig), whose plan is to quietly earn enough legitimate looking cash to retire at the fast approaching age of 30 to a life of luxury. Operating under the polished veneer of an honest businessman, he aims to keep a low profile and run a tight operation until it's time for him to get out.

"X" sees his opportunity when crime boss, Jimmy Price (Cranham), asks him to find the wayward daughter of a rival crime boss Eddie Temple (Gambon). He agrees to take the seemingly 'safe' job as his chance to get out of the business with a blessing from Jimmy Price himself.

Meanwhile, "X's" sidekick has set up a deal involving a shipment of ecstasy - stolen by the somewhat deranged JD (Foreman) from a gang of ruthless Serbians who have dispatched an assassin to retrieve their goods.

It's not long before "X" realises that things are about to go very wrong and he has to break his own rules and liven up the pace, not only to outwit others but to save his own back - so much for an easy get-out!

This is the directorial debut of Matthew Vaughan, producer of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, the remaining two films in tonight's British Gangster Movies trilogy, and whilst staying true to the well-known formula, he succeeds very well in making this his own.

Michelle Foy