Film enthusiasts across the UK have a date with a modern classic this week. The stylish British crime thriller Layer Cake is returning to television, offering viewers another chance to see Daniel Craig's iconic performance that many believe secured him the role of James Bond.
When and Where to Watch the Gangster Classic
Mark your calendars for a gritty Friday night in. Layer Cake is scheduled to air on Great TV on Friday, November 21, providing the perfect post-watershed entertainment. The broadcast kicks off at 9pm and is set to run for 135 minutes, which includes advertising breaks around the film's standard 105-minute runtime.
Given its 15 certificate, the film is intended for a mature audience, as it contains graphic depictions of violence, drug use, nudity, and sexual content. Great TV, known for curating a selection of classic television series and films for a more seasoned viewership, is the channel bringing this cult favourite back to the box.
The Enduring Legacy of Layer Cake
Released in 2004, Layer Cake was a pivotal moment in British cinema. It served as the directorial debut for Matthew Vaughn, who would later go on to helm major blockbusters like the Kingsman series and X-Men: First Class. More notably, it featured a career-defining turn from Daniel Craig.
Craig stars as a sophisticated London cocaine dealer, known only as X, who plans to retire from the criminal underworld. His plans are brutally interrupted when his boss tasks him with two final, dangerous jobs: brokering a massive ecstasy deal and locating the missing, drug-addicted daughter of a powerful crime lord.
The film's critical and commercial success proved to be a launchpad for its stars. While Craig famously stepped into the shoes of James Bond just two years later, a then relatively unknown Tom Hardy also featured, foreshadowing his own rise to Hollywood A-list status. The esteemed Sir Michael Gambon, already a celebrated actor, also delivered a memorable performance, further cementing the film's strong cast.
Why Layer Cake Still Resonates
Over two decades after its release, Layer Cake's reputation remains untarnished. It holds a solid 7.2 rating on IMDb, a testament to its enduring appeal. The film is widely credited with helping to usher in a new era of intelligent, stylised British gangster storytelling, distinguishing itself from its predecessors with a cooler, more calculated aesthetic.
For fans of Daniel Craig looking to see the raw talent that made him Bond, or for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted crime saga, this Friday's broadcast on Great TV is an unmissable opportunity to experience a piece of modern British film history.
