Fans of gritty British cinema are in for a treat this week as the acclaimed gangster classic, Layer Cake, returns to television. The film, which served as a major career launchpad for its star Daniel Craig and director Matthew Vaughn, will be broadcast on Great TV.
A Stylish Return to the Underworld
First released in 2004, Layer Cake immediately garnered critical praise for its stylish direction and sharp script. The plot follows a successful London cocaine dealer, known only as X, who is planning his retirement. Just as he is about to leave the criminal underworld behind, his boss presents him with two final, dangerous tasks: to track down the missing, drug-addicted daughter of a powerful crime lord and to broker a massive deal for millions of pounds worth of stolen ecstasy tablets.
This film was notably the directorial debut of Matthew Vaughn, who would later go on to create the Kingsman series and direct X-Men: First Class. Its influence on the modern British crime genre is still felt today.
The Cast That Built Careers
Daniel Craig stars as the unnamed protagonist, delivering a performance that many credit with securing his role as James Bond. His portrayal of the sophisticated yet weary X showcased a depth that convinced producers he was the right actor to take on the iconic 007 mantle, a role he would play five times, including in the Oscar-winning Skyfall.
The film also features a young Tom Hardy in the role of Clarkie. At the time, Hardy was a relative unknown, but his performance in Layer Cake was a precursor to his future success in blockbusters like The Dark Knight Rises, Legend, and the TV series Peaky Blinders.
Adding gravitas to the cast was the late, great Sir Michael Gambon, who played crime kingpin Eddie Temple. In the same year Layer Cake was released, Gambon also made his first appearance as Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film franchise.
How and When to Watch
Viewers can catch this piece of cinematic history on Great TV as their featured Friday night film. The channel is known for curating a selection of classic television series and films aimed at a mature audience, including favourites like Murder, She Wrote and M*A*S*H.
Layer Cake is scheduled to start at 9pm on Friday, November 21. The broadcast is post-watershed, fitting for the film's 15 certificate, which is due to its depiction of violence, drug use, nudity, and sexuality.
The film itself has a runtime of 105 minutes, but Great TV has allocated a 135-minute slot to accommodate advertising breaks. Over two decades since its release, Layer Cake maintains a strong 7.2 rating on IMDb, cementing its status as a beloved and enduring classic of UK cinema.
