MovieChat Forums > Layer Cake (2005) Discussion > Movie was too convoluted and not enough ...

Movie was too convoluted and not enough personality especially from main

posted 10 years ago by abnormallynormal001
15 replies | jump to latest

Daniel Craig's "icey steel" was ok as James Bond but in a more quirky movie probably not nearly as appropriate. Very difficult to identify with or even relate to the main character. Slightly too british (I live in USA). Little too fast-paced especially toward the end obviously where it was quite difficult to follow along with the plot. Overall a bit too antiseptic and just felt like not enough "heart" went into making the movie.

[–] Miarse 10 years ago

Lord help us, a British fim is "Slightly too british"[sic]?!?! No wonder every civilised person despises the USA.

[–] radarking 10 years ago

Yeah, like those civilized Europeans who have been warring with each other since the beginning of time. They're so classy what with all the killing and genocide!

"It seems we are not all in agreement."
"I disagree!"

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] Miarse 10 years ago

you mean, the same USA that kept you from speaking german today?

The one that entered WWII very late after the Russians and British had done the hard work? That's the one.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] Miarse 10 years ago

look, p@ssy, if you're predisposed to rag on america, then just admit it without yielding your own objectivity in the process. that's unbecoming, aside from the fact that it's also in bad taste to lump everyone from a place into one group. i'm sure there are enough liberal commie jerks in america by now to warrant a little love from ya, at least, no?

Sorry, I don't speak American, only English. Can you try re-posting that so it makes sense please? It would also help if you only used words which you actually understand the meaning of, so as to not make yourself look so stupid.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] z-stripes81 10 years ago

Wrong.

[–] LTUM 10 years ago

i empathise with you. but this film is actually quite the masterpiece, if you are one who can connect with it.

i have made numerous posts here about my distinction between movie movies and literary movies, but alas they have been zapped by the effing imdb 'cull' fairies.

i won't repeat myself, but i will only say this: it bears a rewatch. make sure the subtitles are on for sure, and i promise you will see many more things fall into place the second go around.

this was vaughn's first film, and a non-screenwriter wrote the script, so i concede some of the points you made. but like i said, it's worth a re-watch. give it a whirl and post again, if you are inclined.

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Once there was a Hushpuppy, and she lived with her Daddy in the bathtub.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] LTUM 10 years ago

edited .....because i totally agree with nikon's point below.

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Once there was a Hushpuppy, and she lived with her Daddy in the bathtub.

[–] Nikon11 10 years ago

I never read the book, but connected with this film immediately.

And at the time, I had no idea who Craig was. I only knew of Meaney and Miller.

[–] drgnndblls88 9 years ago

you're very harsh but its true, lol. the stylish posturing is exactly what made the movie enjoyable for me, though. it makes no attempt to be real or touch your heart or get heavy, it just wants to look and feel good. it's a Movie movie, just telling a cool story.

I would not say Craig looks likes a model.....he did end up the next Bond though!

[–] Grothendieck_s_Pocket_Healer 9 years ago

Agree with the second point, DC is not at all the guy for movies like this. I'd rather someone like Orlando Bloom. (who definitely doesnt look like a trained hitman)
The plot is rather straightforward and at times lacks subtlety. Involving a lot of factions and schemes does not make the story more clever, or even complicated. During the movie, most of my thought, which is just a collection of plausible situations I could think of from experience of knowing similar stories, ended up happening (Jimmy Price's intention was way too obvious since the beginning when I saw Sydney, and then Tammy and XXXX, I thought it'd be hilarious if Sydney *beep* him up at the end of the movie).
I'm a big fan of LS2SB and Snatch and both of them are very distinguished from this movie.

[–] Naughty-God 9 years ago

Your rant speaks more to a contrived bias (possibly a failure to troll?) against the film's tropes. I enjoyed this film from the first viewing in theaters (I'm a Yank as well) not because I thought the plot was effortlessly explained to me (it actually is contrived and filled with rather simple plot points) but because it flows with a cool economy of long and close shots, good music, and stylish exposition. Does it look like a music video? Sure, so what? It worked.

If you truly want to watch a movie that fails on multiple levels, let's discuss "The Counselor".